There are a couple of issues on my credit record from about 4 years ago, two credit cards, one of which was eventually paid off and another that was written off as bad debt. (In reality it wasn't even me that opened the accounts or ran up this debt, but I guess that doesn't matter since there's nothing I can do since I've had to accept responsibility for it anyway) I know they look at financial issues when determining if you can get secret clearance, and since I was wanting to work in Intel, I will need it for any of the specialties I've been thinking about. The recruiter I've been talking to said he didn't think it would be a problem, but some of the stuff I've read here makes me think otherwise. How strict is the requirement for clearance, will this prevent me from getting it? Because obviously the last thing I want is to pick an MOS that needs clearance and then not get it.
"Hell, I'll kill a man in a fair fight ... or if I think he's gonna start a fair fight. Or if he bothers me. Or if there's a woman. Or if I'm gettin' paid, mostly only when I'm gettin' paid. ... But eating people alive? Where's that get fun?" - Jayne
I had some credit problems similar to yours when I got my TS.
If you're thousands of dollars in debt, then yeah it might hinder it a little.
The important things are: a) after you get the interim clearance, don't develop any new credit problems b) CCF (Central Clearance Facility) adjudicators want to know that you can't be bought off for information because of bad debt and collections calls. If your two negative items are already closed, by either payoff, settlement, or just plain written off as a loss, and you owe nothing, it shouldn't hinder the process much.
The security interviewers might ask more about the circumstances surrounding the debt, but it probably won't keep you from getting a clearance.
Posts: 147 | Location: Ft. Meade, MD | Registered: 08 August 2008
Funny you should say that, because the debt that was written off was about $1000. But it was written off, I'm not sure I could pay it off at this point if I was able to (I don't know how all of that works, really). If they asked about the circumstances and believed me, then it might not be so bad. When I was 18 my mom took out credit cards in my name and ran up the debt. I didn't even find out about it until 3 years later. Can't exactly have my mother prosecuted for identity theft.
"Hell, I'll kill a man in a fair fight ... or if I think he's gonna start a fair fight. Or if he bothers me. Or if there's a woman. Or if I'm gettin' paid, mostly only when I'm gettin' paid. ... But eating people alive? Where's that get fun?" - Jayne
From what I am hearing, you should be fine. Like I tell everyone though, DO NO LIE!!! Bring this up to the interviewer and let them know the circumstances (Mitigating Circumstances work in your favor). If you want the job, you should not hold any punches wih the interviewer. You will be given the Clearance you need without major problems.
Like SSG Prophet said, just try to keep your finances tight from now on. We are looking for people that could be blackmailed, bought off, etc. Don't Be "THAT GUY"!
"Hell, I'll kill a man in a fair fight ... or if I think he's gonna start a fair fight. Or if he bothers me. Or if there's a woman. Or if I'm gettin' paid, mostly only when I'm gettin' paid. ... But eating people alive? Where's that get fun?" - Jayne
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