Security Clearance with bad debt

aysu

Hi all,

I have just been confirmed that I will have an interview next week for a position that requires Security Clearance.

I have been in debt since before I even turned 18 as I became homeless at 17. I then tried to stay above water but was paying back to back CCJ's off until four years ago when I moved abroad due to marrying someone from another country.

I have just checked my credit score, it states I have one CCJ left and 5 default accounts, equating to £6,000. Yet they are all from 2009 and earlier. I know I need to show that I am managing my debt, however I am unable to do that, as the country I live in prevents you from working unless a specific company applies for a working visa.

Now to my advantage, before moving abroad I worked for the government for 6 years, and within this time I worked in Procurement where I had my own Government Purchasing Card and dealt with all payments. (Which I'm sure shows that I have worked within a position without bribery)

If I get the position, I will be completely honest and explain all of the debts on my credit report, as well as the reasons for this. I was 22 when I stopped managing and stopping getting into debt. I am now 26 and when getting a position I will happily clear my CCJ within my first payments and start paying my other debts.

I guess my question is, even though the reason for all my debts was down to becoming homeless and unable to manage paying all my bills. As I have worked within the government and even been given responsibility for finances will I be able to get cleared.

The position is another government agency, I will not be dealing with any finance but will have availability to secure information.

With any negative comments, please share in a nice way. I am already not able to sleep and panicking about this situation which I haven't had to worry about for 3 and half years.

Oh also in my credit report it states that I am in the middle of poor, between ratings of very poor to very good.

Yorkie1

Your credit report score is meaningless, so stop worrying about that.

If you are honest, and given the age of the debt etc, then I think you've a decent chance here.

redcard

What was the question?

bugslet

Agree with Yorkie, if there's a timeline that shows your financial problems started in the past and you are now in a significantly better positions, plus your previous job, I don't think you should have a problem.

I know someone who got a clearance with significantly worse and more recent financials than you.

aysu

Thanks so much, I am getting all details and will be completely honest, which I always am. I'm also going to get character statements from my previous bosses to include in the report if I can. I just want to give the whole picture as best as I can so they can come to the best decision.

Really thank you so much for the replies and I will keep you all updated x

BBQ141

It depends which agency is doing your vetting, and to what level you are being vetted?

But again, depending on the level of vetting, you might have more of an issue with having lived abroad.

If it is being done by the Defence Vetting Agency (Defence Business Services as it now is) then you should be ok as long as you disclose the debt before hand, and you are able to demonstrate that you can manage it going forwards, and it is not due to anything like gambling.

[Deleted User]

This subject never ceases to stop fascinating me! Just fill in all paperwork as honestly as you can, don't know where you stand if not asked, (I've screwed myself up in the past declaring things that then don't need to be as a complete polo-roid) it always worries me though when left so late in the recruitment process to be asking these questions. I've had a DRO (though always was CCJ less) and been cleared for work in financial services once the order was spent but still struggled with big known insurance companies upon declaration, I would go as far as to say the job revokes come from people declaring to late in the process sometimes unknowingly, sadly.
I wish the guidelines were clearer all round.

aysu

Living abroad isn't a problem because the government agency asked for the person to be a UK national that lives in the country I am with a residence permit, so the clearance agency should understand this with regards to the job.

The reason why I was panicing so much was because I read a lot with regards to SC on other sites, everyone saying if you have unmanaged debt then you will be denied. Then I freaked out a lot! I want to clear my debt, and although I had a very unfortunate childhood/teenage hood, I persevered to make my life better. The only issue I had is my debt because I could not live.

I will just do as you say, fill all the paper work out and hope they don't look too badly on my personal life. It would break my heart to be refused due to not having the best start in life.

Oh and all it said to the type of SC was that I had to pass standard UK National Security

sazzie_sue

Hi aysu,

In any situation like this I always say honesty is the best policy!!!!!

I have started a new post in a building society not naming and shaming lol and part of my role is to Vett new staff, all are subject to a CRB and credits checks.

The company I work appreciate that due to the current economic climate peoples credit ratings are not what they used to be . We offer positions to applicants with defaults and even CCJs, providing they show there integrity upfront and show they are servicing the debts in repayment plans ect.... then we do consider applicants based on this.

To be blunt be honest at your interview about your situation or even ring the pre-interview and ask the question to save time, I can't see what you have to loose by being honest, if your not and they find out anyway they will prob get rid of you so just come clean the decision is then down to them and if they choose not to hire you based on this well unfortunately sometimes that's just the way it goes xx

wheezy57

Just because you messed up with money in the past doesn't make you a bad person.

Your young with everything in front of you. Don't look backwards but step forwards and live life to the hilt!

LUCKYAMB

Hi

Just wanted to post as I have just gone through security clearance with around the same number of defaults and a couple of ccj's.

Firstly, be honest, I even listed defaults that we're no longer on my credit file, but decided to do so for honesty purposes. They will ask for extra info, and they will ask for proof of repayments.

Secondly, I wrote a letter detailing the reasons for my debt, and how having the new position would help me pay them off.

It was stressful, and I was pretty sure I wasn't going to get through, but did!

Good luck!