Public Trust Clearance questions

I had an interview for a desktop support position the other day. If I get the offer, it will be contingent on passing all that is needed for Public Trust. The lady said they go back 5 yrs for employment, residence, criminal, and a credit check. (and a drug test) I am golden for all of that except maybe the credit part. Are there marks on your credit that can keep you from passing the background?

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Fulcrum45

I'm curious about this myself. My wife and I have struggled financially the past few years and while we pay all of our bills our credit has taken a hit. I know the DOD considers a low credit score a liability for bribery etc. but not sure how Public Trust Clearances work or what they even consider "low".

scaredoftests

It all depends what is wrong with your credit. Ask.

Chadius

The lady told me that they have been more lax on the credit part, the last few years. (due to the recession, markets, housing blowing up)
Should I wait to ask until after our next step is finished? (final interview)

scaredoftests

If your credit is really shitty..ask.

Chadius

okie dokie. :P

I did find out it is the SF85, not the SF86. So that might be better. lol

BlackBeret

The exact requirements are extremely hard to nail down. They look at the history and the why's behind everything. When your interviewer comes s/he will have a printout of your credit report and will ask you questions about each negative incident. A handful of missed bills a few years ago when you were laid off is no big deal. A string of missing payments every other month for years or $10,000 in credit card debt when you're barely making payments could be indicative of deeper problems like drugs, gambling, etc.

No one will be able to give you a solid answer, just don't worry about it, be 100% honest on all of your forms and to the investigator, and let OPM decide if they want grant the clearance after looking over the details.

thomas_

BlackBeret wrote: »

No one will be able to give you a solid answer, just don't worry about it, be 100% honest on all of your forms and to the investigator, and let OPM decide if they want grant the clearance after looking over the details.

I 100% agree.

guy9

On your eQIP that you will fill out specific (disqualifying) questions are asked...in regards to your credit. Have you filled for BK in the past 7 years. Are you past due on any students loans, etc etc. I don't think it is solely on your credit/FICO score (not saying they use them). Here is the break down, the credit report basically tells them if you're likely to take bribes or do anything for financial gain.

I don't know your situation and I am not asking your situation. But:
If someone was past due 120 days on 2 credit cards total 50K
Past due on a Sub Student Loan and UnSub student loan total 50K (not deferred)
Personally I would consider them a risk to the organization. It is more about your RISK than anything else.....

Good News:

Public Trust is probably the easiest to obtain.

Bad News:

Credit is the number 1 reason fro denial. I know people who have had a DUI (in the past 2 years) and been arrested for other offenses and still have a TS/SCI. Honestly, I don't consider them a risk per se. If Ch-ina wanted you to hand over information, they would give you $. Money gets rid of bill. If you said you had foreign contacts, I would tell you do not even waste your time applying lol I know a guy who was working for the Peace Corp who went through HELLLLL because of foreign contacts

These are all facts. ..don't ask me how I know. It was not from a google search either

the_Grinch

Public Trust? Ah I wouldn't be concerned. All they'll do is a quick public records check to make sure you don't have anything glaring in your background. As long as you are current on all of your bills I truly wouldn't be concerned. Literally, Public Trust is barely a clearance.

Toxic Dover

Unless you're seriously in over your head and consistently delinquent and defaulting on your payments, you should be fine. I've gone through the process twice in the past year and a half (first time for Secret, second for Top Secret), and within the last 5 years I've had some pretty bad credit issues including chapter 7 bankruptcy filing, and I got my S and TS with no issues. Just be honest and up front with them; they're really looking for things you would try to hide and anything that could be used to blackmail you in return for sensitive or classified information. Cheers!