Los Angeles County Date of Birth Redaction

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A recent announcement by the Los Angeles County Superior Court raises concerns for background checks. The court will no longer include birth month and year when searching for criminal records, impacting both online and physical searches. This change, effective February 23, 2024, could lead to:

  • Delays in background checks: Matching individuals will be more challenging, potentially slowing down the process.
  • Underreporting of criminal records: Without birth date details, some relevant criminal records might be missed.
  • Increased risk for employers: Incomplete background checks could pose a potential risk for businesses when hiring.


Matching Challenges without Birth Dates

Excluding birth month and year from searches significantly complicates consumer data matching. Here's why:


  1. Data Overlap: When multiple individuals share the same name, birthdates act as a crucial differentiator. Without them, Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) face difficulties in conclusively matching information to the correct applicant. This can result in under-reporting of criminal records, potentially posing risks for organizations relying on background checks.
  2. Common Names: Common Names: Names like "Michael Johnson'' or "Emily Miller" are prevalent, and relying solely on names for searches can lead to false positives. Without birth dates, distinguishing between individuals with the same name becomes nearly impossible, requiring additional investigation and potentially delaying the process.
  3. Aliases and Nicknames: Many individuals use aliases or nicknames, which further complicate accurate matching in the absence of birthdate information. This could lead to missed matches, potentially overlooking relevant criminal records.
Los Angeles superior court

Overall, the removal of birthdates creates a complex puzzle for matching consumer data, potentially leading to inaccuracies and incomplete information in background checks.


Implications for CRAs:

  • This change will significantly increase the difficulty and timeframe for accurately matching certain candidates to criminal records in Los Angeles County.
  • Background checks involving Los Angeles County residents are expected to experience severe delays due to the lack of crucial search criteria.

This change applies to both individuals seeking background checks and organizations relying on them for various purposes, like employment screenings.


Recommendations for CRAs:

  • Be prepared to face extended turnaround times for background checks involving Los Angeles County residents.
  • We advise exploring alternative data sources and verification methods in conjunction with court records to maintain the integrity of background checks.


The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Accuracy

The FCRA, a federal law overseeing consumer reporting agencies (CRAs), mandates ensuring the accuracy and completeness of information, including details in background checks. Removing birth date information from searches could potentially impact the accuracy of such reports.

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