FAA pre-employment - security clearance - background checks...

[shinto123]

Sorry if this post is out of place.

 

Posted here since this is indirectly related to subject of security clearance/financial investigations.

 

FAA indicates that a candidate for employment with the FAA must pass a background investigation equivalent to secret, or top secret security clearance:

 

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http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ahr/jobs_careers/exec_opportunities/eligibility/

 

 

>Security Background Investigation

You must qualify for a Secret or Top Secret clearance. Security background investigations that include credit history checks and a review of criminal record history are required when you are considered for a position.<

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It is also understood that even though negative information has fallen off of a consumer credit report, it can still be discovered.

 

Say a candidate had current credit files that had absolutely no derogatory data, but the candidate had personal knowledge of long past negative accounts. The information is so old, most of the pertinent cannot be recalled from memory, nor is there any current paper records in their possession to delineate all the pertinent details.

 

How should the candidate handle this?

 

Anyone have specific experience with this?

 

All help much appreciated.

 

 

[PotO]

I'm not sure about how the FAA qualifies the data they receive from the clearance investigation, but it is crucial never to lie or be perceived as lying or withholding information.

 

Whether or not you should bring up long past credit issues depends on what questions you are asked. If asked and you do not have complete, precise information then tell them what you can substantiate and tell them there is more that because of age you cannot recall.

[shinto123]

I'm not sure about how the FAA qualifies the data they receive from the clearance investigation, but it is crucial never to lie or be perceived as lying or withholding information.

 

Whether or not you should bring up long past credit issues depends on what questions you are asked. If asked and you do not have complete, precise information then tell them what you can substantiate and tell them there is more that because of age you cannot recall.

Thanks PotA!

 

Do credit reporters maintain information that is not shown on current reports?

 

Will they reveal all history to a consumer?

 

Thanks again for any info!

[PotO]

 

I'm not sure about how the FAA qualifies the data they receive from the clearance investigation, but it is crucial never to lie or be perceived as lying or withholding information.

Whether or not you should bring up long past credit issues depends on what questions you are asked. If asked and you do not have complete, precise information then tell them what you can substantiate and tell them there is more that because of age you cannot recall.

Thanks PotA!

 

Do credit reporters maintain information that is not shown on current reports?

 

Will they reveal all history to a consumer?

 

Thanks again for any info!

Yes . . . and no.

 

In theory credit reporting agencies retain everything indefinitely, but do not release stale information unless certain criteria are met. One of the criteria where credit reporting agencies can release everything is when you apply for a job which can reasonably be expected to pay more than a certain amount -- $75k if I remember correctly. They can release everything regardless when presented with written authorization. You must provide written authorization to even be considered for a government job which needs a security clearance.

 

Now, the credit reporting agencies claim that once data is stale they no longer retain it in their systems even though they are entitled to. I guess it all depends on whether or not you believe in Santa Claus.

 

Even if the CRAs do not retain stale data, a robust investigation can, and often does, uncover crap you did while in the womb. The problem isn't the department store you stiffed 20 years ago. The problem is being deceitful, dishonest or deceptive about it when asked. If they get the impression you have been anything less than fully forthcoming and honest, you will not get the job. If you later apply for a different job which requires a clearance, they will see your first clearance investigation and use it against you. If you do get the job and they later find you were less than fully forthcoming and honest during the clearance investigation you will get fired and possibly prosecuted.

 

They don't generally give a rat's flowers about you burning a couple of creditors years and years ago. They do care about what changes you have made in your life to prevent it from happening again. And they care about honesty. A lot.

[shinto123]

 

 

I'm not sure about how the FAA qualifies the data they receive from the clearance investigation, but it is crucial never to lie or be perceived as lying or withholding information.

Whether or not you should bring up long past credit issues depends on what questions you are asked. If asked and you do not have complete, precise information then tell them what you can substantiate and tell them there is more that because of age you cannot recall.

Thanks PotA!

 

Do credit reporters maintain information that is not shown on current reports?

 

Will they reveal all history to a consumer?

 

Thanks again for any info!

Yes . . . and no.

 

In theory credit reporting agencies retain everything indefinitely, but do not release stale information unless certain criteria are met. One of the criteria where credit reporting agencies can release everything is when you apply for a job which can reasonably be expected to pay more than a certain amount -- $75k if I remember correctly. They can release everything regardless when presented with written authorization. You must provide written authorization to even be considered for a government job which needs a security clearance.

 

Now, the credit reporting agencies claim that once data is stale they no longer retain it in their systems even though they are entitled to. I guess it all depends on whether or not you believe in Santa Claus.

 

Even if the CRAs do not retain stale data, a robust investigation can, and often does, uncover crap you did while in the womb. The problem isn't the department store you stiffed 20 years ago. The problem is being deceitful, dishonest or deceptive about it when asked. If they get the impression you have been anything less than fully forthcoming and honest, you will not get the job. If you later apply for a different job which requires a clearance, they will see your first clearance investigation and use it against you. If you do get the job and they later find you were less than fully forthcoming and honest during the clearance investigation you will get fired and possibly prosecuted.

 

They don't generally give a rat's flowers about you burning a couple of creditors years and years ago. They do care about what changes you have made in your life to prevent it from happening again. And they care about honesty. A lot.

Many thanks again PotA!

 

You explanation confirms my research.

 

The information specialists here are impressive, and much appreciated.