Pre employment credit check help?

Legacy_user

Hi, I need a little advice, I've been given a conditional offer to work at a Virgin Money Bank, however this is on condition of a pre employment check, including a credit check. I explained to the HR department my credit is poor but all bills are now on payment plans. I don't have any CCJ or have never been declared bankrupt, although my score falls within the 'very poor' scale at 182, this is due to constant lack of payments and late payments when I was younger and foolish, my only debt now is a interest free student overdraft, which has never missed any payments and a payday loan which is getting paid back, I did have 6 late payments on a mobile phone contract which has just recently been settled and paid, however its still appearing as not settled on my credit report. Just wondering if anyone knows if I will be declined my offer? I can prove to the bank I am now paying off my bills but will my previous lack of paying bills and late payments really affect me? Though my credit score is really bad its only due to late and missed payments, never ccj's bankruptcy etc. Anyone worked in recruitment and dealt with this? Is they a score you need to pass? Any information would be really appreciated. Thank you.

mcpitman

No such thing as a "credit score" they are just fictional numbers Credit reference agencies make up.

Most employers I have worked with will look for up to date payments particularly in the last 6-12 months of your history.

It shows that you will stand by your commitments and are a responsible adult.

What department are you applying to work in. Sales? Customer Service? Collections?

SeanG79

Most employers use external companies to do employment screening, they can only see public information (CCJ's, IVA), electoral roll and convictions. Late payments and defaults do not reflect on these searches.

However, being that you are looking to work at a bank, depending on the role, the searches could potentially be more in depth.

As mentioned, there is no universal credit score.

System

Thanks for the info, it will be a role working for customer service in a bank, I have recently got back from travelling and had one outstanding phone bill that I though I had paid before going, however I didn't and only realised once I was back in the UK. It was shown as 6 late payments (because id missed it each month I was away) however I have now paid this, apart from this and one small loan of £160 that is on a payment plan an overdraft which is fully upto date and paid I have no other defaults. So I'm a little worried as if they look at the last 6 months it will show missed payments, I was told to just be honest and explain to them why it has happened, which I will, just wondering if my chances of being accepted for the role are now slim down to this, all other pre employment screenings, references, criminal record check etc will be fine, it's just the bad credit I now have.

monochome_blue

They're offering you a job, not looking whether to lend you money. What they care about is looking to see whether you're in a financial situation where you could be pressured or tempted into committing fraud. A missed payment on a phone bill is very, very, very unlikely to make them worry about that.

Don't stress about it, and wait to see what they say. It'll almost certainly be fine.

MuddyFunster

The fact you're on top of things now will probably mean they're okay with it.

I cannot comment on Virgin, but at RBS they were mostly concerned with people having ongoing issues as firstly the stress made them poor at their jobs and there's always that chance they might do something stupid to get out of it - I have to say the type of role I had at RBS came with a lot of responsibility and trust, given the money involved and opportunity to commit fraud.

I was clear when I joined the bank, but managed to pick up a CCJ mid-way through my time there without my knowledge - I was hauled in front of the boss, told to explain myself, which I did and given any help I needed to clear it, they might not be as hard on it as you might think.

Personally I think as long as you don't have any unsatisfied CCJs you'll be fine.

System

Thank you very much for your help, yes, no CCJ's just that phone bill which I mentioned which is now paid. Guess I'll just have to keep my fingered crossed