Unverified Information Leading to "Background Check Kill"? Background Check Company Causes Man's Monthly Salary to Drop by 5,000 Yuan, Court Orders Apology and Compensation

Recently, a defamation case caused by false background investigation reports was settled in Beijing Fengtai Court. Job applicant Wang Mou entrusted a background check company to verify his professional background before starting a new job, but he was caught in workplace difficulties due to a one-sided statement from former colleague Liu Mou. The background check personnel did not verify Liu Mou’s negative comments about “values and lifestyle issues,” and directly included them in the report with a “yellow light” rating, resulting in a 10% reduction in Wang’s starting salary, a monthly loss of about 5,000 yuan, and internal criticism of his personal conduct.

During the trial, Wang Mou submitted multiple pieces of evidence proving Liu Mou’s statements were false and emphasized that the background check company’s negligence caused dual harm: not only direct economic loss but also a significant decline in his social reputation. The court held that background investigation agencies have an obligation to independently review information and cannot simply relay unverified data. Submitting a report with major flaws to a third party, which led to Wang Mou’s reputation damage, had a direct causal relationship with the investigation behavior, constituting a violation of his right to reputation.

Ultimately, the court ordered the background check company to immediately cease the infringing behavior, issue a public apology, and take measures to eliminate the adverse effects. Considering factors such as the duration of the infringement and the scope of impact, the court also ordered the company to pay Wang Mou damages for mental distress. The ruling clearly states that professional background investigations must adhere to principles of truthfulness and objectivity. If investigation agencies neglect their review duties, they will bear corresponding legal responsibilities.