Does debt settlement affect security clearance?
While it is generally conceded that excessive debt is a cause for denying security clearances, no branch of the military has a set amount of debt that will result in being denied.
How much debt is too much for a security clearance?
No branch of the military has a set amount of debt that is the breaking point for security clearance. You could owe $5,000 or $50,000 and be granted or denied clearance. It's all a matter of how you deal with the debt. Responsible behavior in tackling your debt problems is considered a positive.
What can make you lose your security clearance?
Reasons for revocation Criminal sexual behavior, pornography and repeated, high-risk sexual behavior are all examples that suggest lack of self-control and trustworthiness to retain security clearance.
Does credit score affect secret clearance?
Imperfect financial circumstances, such as bad credit scores, can have a negative influence on your application and potentially cause your security clearance to be denied. In fact, financial issues comprise a large percentage of security clearance denials.
Can you get a security clearance with credit card debt?
The main concern is that a clearance holder desperate to pay off their debts may try and raise money by selling classified information. At the same time, the mere fact that an applicant has an unpaid credit card balance or medical debt does not automatically disqualify them from holding a security clearance.
What is looked at for security clearance?
The security clearance process typically includes a FBI reference check of former employers, coworkers, friends, neighbors, landlords, and schools along with a review of credit, tax, and police records.
Is it easy to lose security clearance?
While a security clearance can be difficult to obtain, it can be surprisingly easy to lose. The federal government can revoke employees' security clearance for a variety of reasons.
Does a security clearance check Internet history?
Although security clearance background checks can be intensely thorough, the government can't view your emails, Internet browsing history, hard drive data, and other virtual assets without a subpoena or warrant.
What are the 5 levels of security clearance?
Contents3.2.1 Controlled Unclassified.3.2.2 Public Trust Position.3.2.3 Confidential.3.2.4 Secret.3.2.5 Top Secret.3.2.6 Compartmented.
Do security clearance Investigators look at credit card statements?
They don't ask about, and I'm pretty sure don't care about, debts that you paying off and have always been current on. I have some moderate credit card debt and am paying it off as I should be and had no problem getting an interim clearance...
What disqualifies someone from top secret clearance?
Top secret clearance holders must have no significant financial concerns. If the background check reveals a considerable amount of debt, missed payments, tax evasion, collection judgments, check fraud, foreclosures, embezzlement or bankruptcies, your application might be rejected.
How long does a secret clearance last for?
How often is a security clearance renewed? An individual is normally subject to reinvestigation approximately every five years for a Secret or Top Secret clearance. For what reasons would I be denied a security clearance?
How do you lose your security clearance army?
For many military personnel, a security clearance is essential to their success while on active duty and in their post-military lives. Involuntary discharges, violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other issues can all contribute to the loss of one's security clearance.
Why are security clearances denied?
Whether you are a civil employee, a contractor or in the military, debt is and can be, a major issue in regards to security clearances and career advancement. Check out these stats:
Why can the government increase its frequency of financial audits on current employees?
Due to past events of leaks of secret information and the ease of new technology, the government can now increase its frequency of financial audits on current employees and its reach on background checks for new hires.
Does debt affect security clearance?
Security Clearance: Debt Can Affect Your Ability to Obtain Clearance
Is excessive debt a security risk?
In short, individuals who have excessive and/or delinquent debt are seen to be a greater security risk than those who are more financially stable. The U.S. government has had problems in the past with security clearance holders leaking secret information, either because they were offered a monetary bride, or were financially blackmailed for information. As such, the federal government has established guidelines to red-flag prospective and current federal employees, military personnel and contractors.
What percentage of credit counseling is due to irresponsibility?
Of people who seek credit counseling, roughly 50 percent are due to irresponsibility. If the debt was caused by irresponsibility (including reckless behavior) that is likely to continue, the problem is magnified.
Why is excessive indebtedness bad?
Excessive indebtedness increases the temptation to commit unethical or illegal acts in order to obtain funds to pay off the debts. Most Americans who betrayed their country did it for financial gain—about half were motivated by a real or perceived urgent need for money and about half by personal greed.
Is total debt considered a security concern?
Amount of debt focuses primarily on the delinquent amount, but as previously mentioned total debt, if it appears excessive, may also be taken into consideration. Significant delinquent debt is a security concern. For total debt there is a rule of thumb used by credit counselors.
Is $5000 worth of debt a problem?
Having $5000 worth of debt isn't a problem. Just about everyone has debt. The most common problem is currently delinquent debt. If your debts were never delinquent, then you have no reason to be concerned about clearance eligibility.
Does debt cause clearance approval?
Debt, alone, does not seem to be what causes an issue with clearance approval. It is what you do with that debt, how often you seem to get into debt, the integrity with which you carry that debt, etc. Having a perceived urgency about your debt can be an influencing factor for many people. It isn't for me, but I cannot expect them to read my mind to find out if I am one of those people or not, so they must try to get a picture from my past and present financial habits and behaviors. Saying that it is discriminatory for the government to use financial issues in determining risk is like saying that banks are discriminating for using your financial history to... determine risk. Financial institutions only need to look into one area of our lives to determine credit risk factors. These guys are looking into many facets at once, and, yes, our financial history is a part of that overall picture.
Is credit counseling better than foreclosure?
Using a credit counseling service is better than having delinquent debts. Settling debts for less than the amount owed is better than having delinquent debts. Completing an approved short sale (with no deficiency balance) is better than a foreclosure or a deed in lieu of or significant arrearages in paying the mortgage. Talk to your security officer about your situation. Depending on how delinquent you are on any of your payments, it may need to be reported now.
Can a collection agency dispute a clearance?
Filing a dispute with a collection agency won't make a difference regarding clearance eligibility.
What is a lawsuit in security clearance?
A single lawsuit to collect a debt, enforce a contract, or settle a property dispute is generally insignificant in the security clearance context unless it is demonstrative of a serious character flaw or integrity issues. But clearance holders with multiple lawsuits in their wake may face questions about their personal responsibility, judgment, or honesty. Similarly, a clearance holder who routinely files frivolous lawsuits as a means of harassment (otherwise known as a “vexatious litigant”) may also face questions about whether s/he demonstrates the type of character expected of someone granted access to classified information.
What happens if you fail to appear in a civil case?
Most frequently, this involves a debt collection action that is reduced to a judgment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, once a judgment is rendered by a civil court, security clearance officials will treat it as fully legitimate. In other words, whatever defense (s) may have been available to the clearance holder in court are irrelevant at that point. Don’t expect an opportunity to re-litigate the merits of a case that was lost in civil court, regardless of whether the loss was by default or after a judge or jury trial.
Does the government care about clearance?
The reality is that the government typically doesn’t care. A clearance applicant who, for example, was sued following an auto accident or who sued a telemarketer for disregarding the Do Not Call list (a hobby of mine) isn’t likely to cause a blip on security officials’ radar – even though it still must be reported.
Do you have to report SF-86?
Most clearance holders know that they have to report on their SF-86 form if they’ve been a party of record (plaintiff or defendant) in a civil lawsuit within the last 7 years, but few have likely stopped to think why the government cares. The reality is that the government typically doesn’t care.
Is a security clearance a legitimate defense?
Absent extraordinary circumstances, once a judgment is rendered by a civil court, security clearance officials will treat it as fully legitimate. In other words, whatever defense (s) may have been available to the clearance holder in court are irrelevant at that point.
