Background Investigation packet wanting bank account numbers??

[AggiePhil]

Is it SOP for a Police Dept. BI packet to ask for ALL bank account numbers, addresses, etc.? I would think that a simple credit report would take care of this (which they also want BTW). :confused:

[kansas]

Can't answer the SOP for LE but just an FYI, credit reports do not contain bank account numbers. :)

[AggiePhil]

Yeah, but shouldn't the credit report contain whatever info about those bank accounts that the PD might find of interest? I ordered an Equifax credit report and it has all kinds of info about every bank account I've ever had (balance, payments, type, etc.).

[S.O.4]

I've done backgrounds for both the Feds and civilian police agencies. Never asked for, wanted, or needed bank account information. If I felt there was a financial problem (which is a legit concern), the credit report was always more than enough.

[RGratton]

Is it SOP for a Police Dept. BI packet to ask for ALL bank account numbers, addresses, etc.? I would think that a simple credit report would take care of this (which they also want BTW). :confused:

It wasn't specifically in my BI packet, but I've had to get all of that information before for the BI. One place had me get my own credit report too. Just give them anything they ask for and anything else you think they might find interesting.

[miked6]

Is it SOP for a Police Dept. BI packet to ask for ALL bank account numbers, addresses, etc.? I would think that a simple credit report would take care of this (which they also want BTW). :confused:

I had to do the same and thought it was weird. The only thing I could think of, was that it was for future reference (IA realted matters, etc.).

[Gibbmusic]

Credit reports are usually sufficient for establishing a person's financial accountability and most agencies don't require the extra step of looking into bank accounts directly. However, some agencies (I've heard of some Feds doing this) will go the extra step to see if you have an excess of unreported income or to see if you are barely getting by with the income you already have. This may be especially insightful to an agency if you report to them that you make $25k a year in your current job but your account shows a deposits totalling over $40k in the previous year. If you didn't report this additional income (which I'm sure the IRS would be interested to know why), the agency would probably be asking you some serious follow-up questions, or just dumping your app immediately.

Bottom line, the credit report will tell if you overdraft your account and will give the current balance, but not much more. Some agencies prefer to get a bit more cozy with your financial situation.

Gibbmusic

[eh19512]

Yeah, I've seen it on some apps I did in Florida. Didn't like it or understand it, simply because if they called the bank they wouldn't release that info anyway.
Not hinting, but someone having all that + DOB, SS#, full name, etc. can be a recipe for disaster if that's misplaced or put somewhere where it's not supposed to be by accident or whatever.

[AggiePhil]

Not hinting, but someone having all that + DOB, SS#, full name, etc. can be a recipe for disaster if that's misplaced or put somewhere where it's not supposed to be by accident or whatever.
Exactly. The only people who normally have access to all that info are the IRS. :rolleyes: