SC Clearance with CCJ and debt

Edin99 · 24 June 2017 at 10:32AM

Hi all,
I guess I'm just looking for some advice or support.
My currently job role at a branch of the MoD is being made redundant. But luckily, I was offered a new role (and a grade promotion!) I was so happy and excited - I even had a little celebration with my family.

But yesterday I found out that I needed to go up one level on my clearance to SC clearance. But I have debt. And a CCJ. And old defaults. 7 years ago at university, I found myself struggling with money and got myself into a vicious payday loan circle. J am now paying it all off. Debt is around £2000.

I really think I'm going to be denied clearance and subsequently - as per my new contract - be dismissed from the post. I'm sat here with these scary grey form in floods of tears as I completed the finance part.

I have worked at a bank for 3 years while in debt and I have supplied character references about by honesty and integrity.

I know my debt does not define me and I know I can look for
another job, but I'm so ashamed and disappointed in myself. And everyone will know - if I had realised I had to go through SC Clearance, I would not have told friends and family.

Debt feels like a long, lonely road with monsters hiding behind every bend. I am to blame for this situation but nevertheless, it hurts a lot.

Has anyone else been in a similar position?

Whoknowskt89 · 24 June 2017 at 10:51AM

I don't know if regards to the ccj but I got sc clearance whilst having a loan and being declined by 1 lender for a loan (all admitted on the form, I hadn't used the eligibility calculators available!)
If you are being made redundant, you should be a high priority mover for any civil service jobs.

Sorry I can't be any further help!
Good luck

unforeseen · 24 June 2017 at 11:31AM

All you can do is fill out the paperwork truthfully a new see what happens. There is no clear cut yea or nay. They will assess the information and base their decision on that

sourcrates · 24 June 2017 at 1:05PM

Hi,

Lots of people have debt, you wont be the only one.

How old is the CCJ ?

are all the defaults still showing on your credit file ?

fermi · 24 June 2017 at 1:25PM

I know people who have a bankruptcy on their credit file get SC and higher clearance with the MoD.

Financial checks are mostly see if you may be vulnerable to undue 'influence' due to financial situations, not strictly whether you have debt, defaults, or a poor record.

As long as you are honest, and things are more or less under control, there is a fair likelihood it won't be an issue.

Richey_ · 24 June 2017 at 5:01PM

Edin hi. This is a topic I have personal knowledge of, I also work in a job that requires a high level of security clearance, I have a full vetting every 7 years plus yearly refreshers which do include a yearly credit search. You will see this yearly soft search on your Experian. A lot of people here like to say that an employer can only have access to public records such as CCJs, bankruptcy etc. This is not the case when the government is your employer and for certain level security clearances and above they will receive your full Experian report. It is a condition of your employment that you agree to this.

What you need to do is a matter of urgency check all of your three credit reports. This can be done for free through MSE credit club (Experian), Clearscore (Equifax) and Noddle (Call Credit) and make sure that every report is 100% accurate. Although in my experience they generally only search Experian, they have the right to check all three and may do so if they see your CCJ. If anything is inaccurate then immediately make a written complaint to the company and put a temporary notice of correction on the credit report to say that this is inaccurate and in dispute. Your employer will then see this notice of correction when they do their checks.

Be 100% honest on the forms, hold nothing back and don't sugar coat anything. A large degree of this process is essentially an honesty test as if something is found you have not told them about, the view will be what else is he hiding. You have a massive bonus that you are a current employee so your employment history will form part of your vetting/security clearances.

Check the website of your job role (both external and internal) and read the job description as this will include the criteria for your required security clearance. It's your CCJ I would have thought is possibly a concern, not so much the loan applications (unless lots of payday loans or lots in a short space of time making you look like you are in crisis.) Re the CCJ, If it's an older CCJ, then that's got to be seen as a better than one issued a couple of weeks ago.

The best advice I can give is to make sure your data is accurate and then be 100% honest with them. They have a duty of care as an employer and if you are struggling, your security clearance may come with a condition of debt counselling for example. What they are generally checking for is are you potentially bribable. Be upfront, honest and open with any problem and willing to accept any help or support. This would mean they would hopefully then see any concern as a reduced risk.

Please do let us know how you get on and good luck :beer:

Edin99 · 20 September 2017 at 6:49PM

Hi all, I just wanted to update you.

After declaring all of my debt, CCJ and submitted proof of management payments, I have been granted full SC Clearance & NATO clearance.

If you are reading this and are in the same position I am, PLEASE be 100% accurate and honest about your debt. Check your credit reports and write down every missed payment and default.

I say this because my colleague who was in a similar financial position (same amount of debt but no ccj) as me was DENIED clearance today and escorted out of the office. She underplayed the amount of defaults on payments AND didn't tick the "have you had significant financial hardship" box. She doesn't even work on sensitive/secret projects like me.

Honesty and accuracy alongside attempt to manage debt is KEY.

Thank you all!

Edin99 · 20 September 2017 at 6:50PM

Sorry about the typos!

SideShowBob · 22 September 2017 at 1:13PM

I have just been granted SC clearance with 2 current CCJ's totalling about £1,600.

I ticked the "have you had significant financial hardship" and was completely honest about my financial history.

They do a full credit check so you can't hide anything, you have to be completely honest and up front.

haraltremorian · 15 October 2017 at 8:55PM

Did you work for Civil Service?

Jat69 · 21 January 2018 at 6:54PM

Hi
I really hope someone out there has any advice. I am about to complete the online form for a Security Clearance and it asks for details of debt etc over the past 10 years. I am a retired USAF personnel and had to foreclose in our family home due to moving back to the UK, my wife is a British Citizen. My question is will they be able to check my finances in the US? We had to move back here as my wife became ill and I just couldn’t afford to keep the house nor pay off certain debts. My credit here has been good with no red flags... I am losing sleep as if I don’t get this job I really don’t know where we will end up. I’d appreciate any advice but please only polite replies as things are very tough already,

SC Clearance with CCJ and debt

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