Do the Civil Service perform a credit check?

foodlover27

I'm looking to apply for the civil service fast stream. I have a bit of a traumatic past, a couple of years ago I was in a physically and emotionally abusive relationship. My abusive ex committed fraud on my bank account and also left me thousands of pounds in debt. I reported the incident to the police and have a crime reference number. I am now left with a CIFAS 6 marker and defaults on my credit file from this debt. I have lots of evidence in my possession - pictures of injuries from the physical abuse, copies of abusive texts from him, an email response from a charity for abuse victims when I pleaded for help over a year prior to the identity theft and fraud, correspondence with the police etc. I also paid for CIFAS protective registration to protect me from further identity fraud and contacted all credit agencies to make sure that any companies receiving applications for credit in my name request a special password only known to me before the application goes through.

The debt is still on my record aswell as the default on my credit file from it and the fraud marker. I'm immensely worried that all of this will ruin my chances of working in the civil service which has been a goal of mine for some years. Please can anyone advise me on whether they perform credit checks of your financial history in their pre-employment checks? Thank you.

Les79

They performed a credit check on me when I applied there, as part of getting the ID badge.


I think you are going to run into issues with that sort of background check. HOWEVER, they consistently mentioned that you would have the opportunity to address anything before they actually declined your application. I think being honest on the initial forms is the key here too... If you try and hide it, they'll get you on the "honesty" element.


If you have a strong case/evidence then I reckon you'd have a good chance of getting accepted. More so with roles which require the more basic security levels, but less so if you are going for the highest security levels.

Marcon

Les79 wrote: »

I think being honest on the initial forms is the key here too... If you try and hide it, they'll get you on the "honesty" element.

I couldn't agree more with this comment. Be completely upfront (although it's obviously going to be painful for you) if you get to the reference checking stage, but be careful not to let too much emotion show. Stick to the basic facts and say you can provide supporting evidence if required (don't go into the sort of detail you have put in your question here).

Good luck - I don't think this nasty chapter in your life will wreck your future.

foodlover27

Les79 wrote: »

They performed a credit check on me when I applied there, as part of getting the ID badge.


I think you are going to run into issues with that sort of background check. HOWEVER, they consistently mentioned that you would have the opportunity to address anything before they actually declined your application. I think being honest on the initial forms is the key here too... If you try and hide it, they'll get you on the "honesty" element.


If you have a strong case/evidence then I reckon you'd have a good chance of getting accepted. More so with roles which require the more basic security levels, but less so if you are going for the highest security levels.

Thank you to the both of you for your responses.

It's a shame that I will likely be hindered from the roles with higher security levels for something I did not do.

jonnygee2

I think being honest on the initial forms is the key here too...

I completely agree with you on honesty, but I also think that disclosure at a slightly later stage would be considered reasonable too. It's a highly sensitive issue that many people would find difficult talking about or disclosing. So I think they would understand if it were kept confidential until a later stage, and not necessarily as 'dishonest' but as a reasonable step to protect privacy.


What was the outcome of the interactions with the police, though? And how come the CIFAS is still there in your name? Ideally, there would have been a police investigation and your name would be cleared. Without that, it will be harder - as you are asking them to look at the evidence and conclude the CIFAS was made in error and you were the victim of fraud yourself - but really, that's a job for the police to do.

foodlover27

jonnygee2 wrote: »

I completely agree with you on honesty, but I also think that disclosure at a slightly later stage would be considered reasonable too. It's a highly sensitive issue that many people would find difficult talking about or disclosing. So I think they would understand if it were kept confidential until a later stage, and not necessarily as 'dishonest' but as a reasonable step to protect privacy.


What was the outcome of the interactions with the police, though? And how come the CIFAS is still there in your name? Ideally, there would have been a police investigation and your name would be cleared. Without that, it will be harder - as you are asking them to look at the evidence and conclude the CIFAS was made in error and you were the victim of fraud yourself - but really, that's a job for the police to do.

A police investigation was carried out but they said that there was "not enough evidence" that my ex did it to convict him. The bank also said that as he had access to my account that it's seen as my authorisation, thus they left the CIFAS marker.

jonnygee2

A police investigation was carried out but they said that there was "not enough evidence" that my ex did it to convict him. The bank also said that as he had access to my account that it's seen as my authorisation, thus they left the CIFAS marker.

A pitiful response from the authorities really.

I really would encourage you to apply regardless of the CIFAS. I don't know how the civil service regards them, but ultimately its not a criminal conviction so logically shouldn't be treated as such.

Good luck!

p00hsticks

I don't recall being subjected to a Credit Check when I joined the Civil Service, just a CRB (now DBS) check for a criminal record.

But it may depend on what area of the Civil Service you will be joining - areas dealing with finance such as Customs and Excise or HMRC may require more rigourous checks than other areas not directly invovled in financia; affairs.

[Deleted User]

It usually says what vetting you will be subjected to on the job advert and if you can find out you can usually find out what checks are required for that.

Does it say?

sammyjammy

p00hsticks wrote: »

I don't recall being subjected to a Credit Check when I joined the Civil Service, just a CRB (now DBS) check for a criminal record.

But it may depend on what area of the Civil Service you will be joining - areas dealing with finance such as Customs and Excise or HMRC may require more rigourous checks than other areas not directly invovled in financia; affairs.

I agree, I have never heard of anyone in CS being credit checked, I have been involved in an external recruitment too.

jonnygee2

I agree, I have never heard of anyone in CS being credit checked,

It's part of standard procedure for Security Clearance http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/working-in-government-security-vetting/ .