Credit history

[andrew1985]

What is being looked for during the credit history check? If someone has two or three grand in collections but they pay on it whenever there financial situation allows, would they be disqualified because of the amount of debt?

[Washingtonian]

What is being looked for during the credit history check? If someone has two or three grand in collections but they pay on it whenever there financial situation allows, would they be disqualified because of the amount of debt?

That would definitely be an issue. But it's not as bad as bankruptcy. It probably could get you DQ'd, but depends on the agency.

[andrew1985]

That would definitely be an issue. But it's not as bad as bankruptcy. It probably could get you DQ'd, but depends on the agency.Really?



That is interesting. I know that with loomis armored currier service they don't DQ you unless you have over 10 grand in unpaid debt. There you are dealing with cash and valuables sometimes in the millions of dollars. Why would a law enforcement agency be far more strict with financial history? can I please get more opinions on this subject?

[george4]

You are going to have to ask the particular agency you are applying for. Credit or lack thereof is generally a sign of a level of responsibility. Typically credit is one of the top if not the top item looked at when one is seeking a security clearance from the G.

On a local or state level credit is also important. In your case I would have an explanation prepared for how you got into your situation and what steps you are taking to remedy it. Living within ones means and abilities is extremely important to a LE agency when they look at prospective candidates. Living on what you make in OT and police details is never a good way to survive. Some day you might wake up and all the gravy you relied on to keep afloat could be gone.

Then there is the obvious when it comes to debt. The G concerns itself with coercion when it comes to credit issues. What might some people do for money???

A local or state agency has the same issue but generally does not have to worry about someone giving up say....the nuclear missiles launch code if you know what I mean.

[nordy racer]

so are they just looking at outstanding debt or your credit score.. i have a credit rating of high 690's but i do have debt: car, boat & 3 credit cards (not crazy $$$).. also a house note... i also have a wife and she is listed on these notes too, do you think that would even things out.. I also have never been late or had to close accounts for bankruptcy, i'm 35...

[george4]

so are they just looking at outstanding debt or your credit score.. i have a credit rating of high 690's but i do have debt: car, boat & 3 credit cards (not crazy $$$).. also a house note... i also have a wife and she is listed on these notes too, do you think that would even things out.. I also have never been late or had to close accounts for bankruptcy, i'm 35...

I dont see an issue with your situation. You have a good credit score and who does not have a car note or mortgage. Some things such as those are expected. The balance is between what you and your wife take in versus what you owe in debt per month. As far as credit cards go, as long as you dont owe an obscene amount between the three and pay on time then there should be no problem there.

[andrew1985]

You are going to have to ask the particular agency you are applying for. Credit or lack thereof is generally a sign of a level of responsibility. Typically credit is one of the top if not the top item looked at when one is seeking a security clearance from the G.

On a local or state level credit is also important. In your case I would have an explanation prepared for how you got into your situation and what steps you are taking to remedy it. Living within ones means and abilities is extremely important to a LE agency when they look at prospective candidates. Living on what you make in OT and police details is never a good way to survive. Some day you might wake up and all the gravy you relied on to keep afloat could be gone.

On your first subject ( government clearance) I have a Public Trust clearance already. I had to get it for my last job (Armed Security for the Department Of The Interior). At that point I had all of the same credit problems. It was never a issue, they just wanted to know if I planed on taking care of it.

On your other topic ( living within ones means), I lived well within my means, and one day the "gravy train" that I relied on was gone. now I am trying to live on about a third of my previous wages. So I know what you mean.

So should I wait to pursue employment until I pay off all of my debt? If there are any background investigators out there, I would really like your opinions. If someone that doesn't have REAL experience with this subject would like to reply I would like to hear from you also, but please let me know your only guessing or assuming. I would really hate to get my hopes up or crushed do to someones misinformation.

I understand that every department is different, but if I get enough educated opinions on here, I can get a pretty good idea of how it works.

Thank you all.

[nordy racer]

I dont see an issue with your situation. You have a good credit score and who does not have a car note or mortgage. Some things such as those are expected. The balance is between what you and your wife take in versus what you owe in debt per month. As far as credit cards go, as long as you dont owe an obscene amount between the three and pay on time then there should be no problem there.

thanks.. that is what i was thinking too, but just wanted to double check..

[mdrdep]

Having debt isn't necessarily the issue. Having debt that has gone to collections is.

If you have managable debt with a good credit history (on time with no collections) you are actually a better canidate as this demonstrates responsibility.

Having more debt than you can afford or if you have a history of late and missing payments you will have an uphill struggle getting hired. Not only does this lead to potential graft, it demonstrates a lack of responsibility on your part. Neither of which makes for a good officer.

[andrew1985]

Having more debt than you can afford or if you have a history of late and missing payments you will have an uphill struggle getting hired. Not only does this lead to potential graft, it demonstrates a lack of responsibility on your part. Neither of which makes for a good officer. First off I am not bashing or trying to pick a fight. That said, here is a thought. Having unpaid debt does not always go hand in hand with responsibility. For example, when I acquired my debt I was well within my means. My monthly expenses were around a third of my monthly income. one day I lost my job and after a month of trying to find a job with comparable wages and living off of my savings, I was forced to take a job making a third of what I previously made. Less income and the same debt = financial disaster. We all have high and low points in our lives. unfortunate things happen to good people my friends.

I can understand it being a big negative if it is a life long pattern, but a person in there early to mid twenties has not yet established that pattern. give them a career that allows them to pay off there debt and retire at a decent age. If it is that big of a issue, make them sign a hiring stipulation promising to pay there debt in a reasonable time.

I am a good, honest person who do to a unfortunate event Literally sweats and bleeds 6 sometime 7 days a week just to keep the bare essentials. I would love to pay off my collections more than you could imagine. The fact that I cant at this point in time bothers me every day. As responsible as I am, its not going to happen with my current situation. For myself and others in my position, I ask you to please reconsider your notion that all people with collections lack responsibility. Responsibility cant make money magically appear when unseen events present them self.

[Washingtonian]

Andrew, it may ease your mind to know that most investigators aren't just going to see that debt and dismiss you. They're most likely going to contact you and figure out as much of the whole story as possible. But like it or not, delinquent debt is an issue, as it should be. Financial irresponsibility creates all kinds of public trust and security issues. My advice is, don't take it personally, show that you're making an effort to pay, and definitely don't amass any more debt or it will show a trend.

[mdrdep]

First off I am not bashing or trying to pick a fight. That said, here is a thought. Having unpaid debt does not always go hand in hand with responsibility. For example, when I acquired my debt I was well within my means. My monthly expenses were around a third of my monthly income. one day I lost my job and after a month of trying to find a job with comparable wages and living off of my savings, I was forced to take a job making a third of what I previously made. Less income and the same debt = financial disaster. We all have high and low points in our lives. unfortunate things happen to good people my friends.

I can understand it being a big negative if it is a life long pattern, but a person in there early to mid twenties has not yet established that pattern. give them a career that allows them to pay off there debt and retire at a decent age. If it is that big of a issue, make them sign a hiring stipulation promising to pay there debt in a reasonable time.

I am a good, honest person who do to a unfortunate event Literally sweats and bleeds 6 sometime 7 days a week just to keep the bare essentials. I would love to pay off my collections more than you could imagine. The fact that I cant at this point in time bothers me every day. As responsible as I am, its not going to happen with my current situation. For myself and others in my position, I ask you to please reconsider your notion that all people with collections lack responsibility. Responsibility cant make money magically appear when unseen events present them self.



And that is why you get a chance to speak with your BI. Every situation is different. Bad debt usually is not an auto DQ. You have to sit down with your BI and explain your situation, especially if the pay rate at the agency your applying to would assist you in paying down that debt.;) The way you present your case above could help. Especially if it matches your job history that you will have to go over as well.

[Stugotz]

which brings me now to a question as a student ready to graduate in 3 months, does a department look down on you if you have student loans out? I know some students at the UW-Madison that are in dept 90K because of school? How does police departments look at those kinds of debts?:eek:

What is being looked for during the credit history check? If someone has two or three grand in collections but they pay on it whenever there financial situation allows, would they be disqualified because of the amount of debt?


I have about a third of that in debt from undergrad and grad school and it didn't negatively affect my process. It's "good debt," as they say. Now if it was 30k on a Macy's card, that's a different story. That would show financial irresponsibility, rather than a career investment -- what school debt really is.

They're looking to see whether you live within or beyond your means.

[manstown]

Just talk to your BI. One problem they have with people late on collection payments or people with multiple collection payments is bribes. Regardless of the person you are, they don't know that off the bat. They may look at it as to whether the situation would rise would this person take a bribe to get out of debt and collections. You'd be surprised at the effect collections on a credit report can have on people when they are trying to get a job. The best thing to do is apply and face the questions when the time comes. No one here can give you a certain answer unless they are the investigator you have assigned to you with the department or agency you're applying too. I will tell you that the Government does not look highly on multiple collections on a credit report.

[cautus]

If you're in collections get rid of it. Your BI will say the same and an FOE (Offer) will not be made until you are out of collections. School loans are fine as long as you've never gone delinquent. Most Fed gigs will disqualify you for going delinquent on a federally backed school loan. Definitely be prepared to explain your credit history when you meet with your BI. That includes paperwork and copies of checks or payment history. The BI will only report his findings to someone esle who will squash the application based on the findings. Make the BIs job easier and they'll write up a nice sensible explanation. I wouldn't not apply based on credit but beg, borrow and ste...wait, don't steal...to get out of collections. It's good to run your own credit report before meeting with the BI just so you don't get surprised. Hope some of it helps.

[L-1]

Andrew,

I see you are in California. Go to http://www.post.ca.gov/selection/bim/bi.pdf and scroll down to the bottom of Page 116. It will tell you how your credit history is evaluated in the background.