|
Post by 71stretch on Aug 23, 2017 10:18:21 GMT -5
Maybe this is a crashingly obvious question, but if you got called for an interview in this round, that means they're going to do the full background check and credit report on you now, right? It's not like they're saying, oh well, we told that guy he'd be on the cert for Outer Swamplandia and Inner Swamplandia, he responded that he wouldn't move to Inner Swamplandia, and since we secretly know that he's got no chance of getting Outer Swamplandia, let's save some money, we won't bother calling all his references and pulling his credit report. Right? So we shouldn't read anything into NOT getting a credit check email, or NOT having every reference called? I have no inside intel but I think that they know you will be on future certs and they do all of the checks for everybody on the cert when they come up. Plus, it appears that they are doing the checks before they make any decision about hiring. Bottom line, I think they put everybody through the same wringer. Anybody with actual knowledge on this? They do the credit checks at this stage, but the full background check, as others on this board have indicated, isn't done until after hire. Sometimes long after hire.
|
|
|
Post by rp on Aug 23, 2017 11:13:09 GMT -5
I have no inside intel but I think that they know you will be on future certs and they do all of the checks for everybody on the cert when they come up. Plus, it appears that they are doing the checks before they make any decision about hiring. Bottom line, I think they put everybody through the same wringer. Anybody with actual knowledge on this? They do the credit checks at this stage, but the full background check, as others on this board have indicated, isn't done until after hire. Sometimes long after hire. Just to add to this -- SSA does as much as can be done with the time given to address obvious red flag issues as far as clearances are concerned. Credit checks and NAC checks (National Agency Checks) can be done with minimal cost and minimal hassle. These quick looks will weed out the most obvious -- credit risks and criminal/driving records. The more in depth investigation, where they interview people, eventually will weed out the more serious security risks. Security clearances/checks are about risk management. The more important the information, the more risk there is. So -- for example, we don't let folks have access to Top Secret information without a more thorough investigation -- and in order to get an interim top secret clearance -- one where you may have access while you are awaiting the final "adjudication" of your clearance, you must jump through some hoops. The bottom line -- while we have seen that it takes some time for folks to finally get interviewed, there are reasons for this -- the more important clearances get pushed ahead of those for positions such as an ALJ. I am not downplaying the risk associated with access to the types of information that SSA ALJs have access to -- I am just saying that on the priority scale, it is farther down than, let's say, an ALJ that hears cases involving nuclear energy.
|
|
|
Post by Lawesome on Aug 23, 2017 11:45:23 GMT -5
They do the credit checks at this stage, but the full background check, as others on this board have indicated, isn't done until after hire. Sometimes long after hire. Just to add to this -- SSA does as much as can be done with the time given to address obvious red flag issues as far as clearances are concerned. Credit checks and NAC checks (National Agency Checks) can be done with minimal cost and minimal hassle. These quick looks will weed out the most obvious -- credit risks and criminal/driving records. The more in depth investigation, where they interview people, eventually will weed out the more serious security risks. Security clearances/checks are about risk management. The more important the information, the more risk there is. So -- for example, we don't let folks have access to Top Secret information without a more thorough investigation -- and in order to get an interim top secret clearance -- one where you may have access while you are awaiting the final "adjudication" of your clearance, you must jump through some hoops. The bottom line -- while we have seen that it takes some time for folks to finally get interviewed, there are reasons for this -- the more important clearances get pushed ahead of those for positions such as an ALJ. I am not downplaying the risk associated with access to the types of information that SSA ALJs have access to - - I am just saying that on the priority scale, it is farther down than, let's say, an ALJ that hears cases involving nuclear energy. -------------------- (oops.... messed up the quote box.....this fake "end quote" makes things all better.............)----------- I heard that in order to get an ALJ gig dealing with those issues, one must not only have glowing references... one must also go through rigorous interviews to make sure the chemistry is right.
|
|
|
Post by mrmojo on Aug 23, 2017 12:06:33 GMT -5
Just to add to this -- SSA does as much as can be done with the time given to address obvious red flag issues as far as clearances are concerned. Credit checks and NAC checks (National Agency Checks) can be done with minimal cost and minimal hassle. These quick looks will weed out the most obvious -- credit risks and criminal/driving records. The more in depth investigation, where they interview people, eventually will weed out the more serious security risks. Security clearances/checks are about risk management. The more important the information, the more risk there is. So -- for example, we don't let folks have access to Top Secret information without a more thorough investigation -- and in order to get an interim top secret clearance -- one where you may have access while you are awaiting the final "adjudication" of your clearance, you must jump through some hoops. The bottom line -- while we have seen that it takes some time for folks to finally get interviewed, there are reasons for this -- the more important clearances get pushed ahead of those for positions such as an ALJ. I am not downplaying the risk associated with access to the types of information that SSA ALJs have access to - - I am just saying that on the priority scale, it is farther down than, let's say, an ALJ that hears cases involving nuclear energy. -------------------- (oops.... messed up the quote box.....this fake "end quote" makes things all better.............)----------- I heard that in order to get an ALJ gig dealing with those issues, one must not only have glowing references... one must also go through rigorous interviews to make sure the chemistry is right. I see what you did there
|
|
|
Post by patsyrev on Aug 24, 2017 18:11:23 GMT -5
This morning I woke up to a similar email, specifically, late payment. However, I could not open the zip. Because I received the same error, I went to Credit Karma and it provides you with two credit reports, one from Trans Union and the other is from Equifax. Equifax is the one SSA uses. I know this because I contacted SSA myself after getting the email and they confirmed what report they used. I had one thing in collections for a small amount. I had thought paid that bill. Actually I did, but the provider moved and on two separate occasions the checks were returned to the bank since I do automatic bill pay. I was never notified by the bank that the bill was not paid. I contacted the collection agency and immediately paid the bill and asked for them to write an email to take it off my report. The collection agency sent me the email immediately and I forwarded it to SSA. The agency acknowledged the error. So now, this late payment was taken off my credit report. I was advised that this was sufficient. I too was unable to open the zip file containing my credit report and so, I decided to get the above credit reports to see what was going on. I got an email today, too! The issue is one I know I already addressed because it came up in a loan review. Is it enough to explain or do I need documentation that I'm not sure I can secure in this short turnaround?
|
|
|
Post by Pixie on Aug 24, 2017 18:37:45 GMT -5
patsyrev: There is no need to quote a post and then do a separate post for your answer. Click the Quote button by the post to which you wish to respond. The quote will appear on your screen. Look at the very end of the text to find the word quote at the very end enclosed in brackets. Place your cursor outside of the brackets, click and start your reply. I have done it for you in the above post you tried to quote, and I have deleted the unnecessary second post you made. Before I deleted it, I copied and pasted it in the quoted post. BTW, welcome to the board. Pixie
|
|
|
Post by franperirose on Aug 24, 2017 22:09:08 GMT -5
I had hoped they weren't still sending out those emails. I hope everyone is able to sort it out easily.
|
|
|
Post by patsyrev on Aug 24, 2017 22:24:50 GMT -5
patsyrev : There is no need to quote a post and then do a separate post for your answer. Click the Quote button by the post to which you wish to respond. The quote will appear on your screen. Look at the very end of the text to find the word quote at the very end enclosed in brackets. Place your cursor outside of the brackets, click and start your reply. I have done it for you in the above post you tried to quote, and I have deleted the unnecessary second post you made. Before I deleted it, I copied and pasted it in the quoted post. BTW, welcome to the board. Pixie Thanks for the instructions on the posting. I certainly didn't double post on purpose, just apparently didn't do it right. Posting to this board is a little intimidating. I wouldn't have done it at all accept I didn't see anything addressing my inquiry. BTW, anybody know whether explanation sans documentation will cut it?
|
|
|
Post by Pixie on Aug 24, 2017 22:35:14 GMT -5
Request documentation and then explain it, with the note that you have requested documentation. This is SSA you are dealing with. It is a much more human operation than OPM. B & M are very knowledgeable and easy to deal with. Their Flying Monkeys? Not so much. Pixie
|
|
|
Post by stevil on Aug 25, 2017 7:45:37 GMT -5
Agree with Pixie, so be sure to save documentation!
In 1997 I was ordered to Panama on short notice. I was forced to short sell my VA-backed house due to the lousy market at the time, and had to come to a mutual arrangement with the bank to pay off my second mortgage (dumb enough to put a swimming pool in for the kids). I maxed out my credit cards and the bank agreed to waive several thousands of dollars. It was agreed in writing that the bank would not write that off as a bad debt, since it was by agreement and in both our interests to move the house.
Unknown to me, the bank of course went back on their word and wrote off the amount as a bad debt, which killed my credit rating. When I was investigated by the Florida bar prior to admission there, I got a letter referencing my "financial irresponsibility" in having a "bad debt" and was asked to provide 5-years worth of cancelled checks so they could see what kind of a miscreant I was. Fortunately, even though I'd moved twice, I still had all the documents substantiating that the debt wasn't a bad one, but an agreed upon financial transaction. Florida accepted the documentation and cancelled their request for bank records.
A few years later, when ICE hired me, I had to present the same documentation again for their background check.
Other than to caution against putting in a swimming pool (only adds about half the cost of the pool to the value of the house), everybody should check their credit rating at least annually to ensure there are no errors on there. You can do everything right, but somebody else can still mess it up for you. Essentially, I found out I was being treated as if I had gone bankrupt - meaning that my credit rating was crap for 6-7 years. And you guessed it - it took about 6-7 years to clear it up!
|
|
|
Post by patsyrev on Aug 25, 2017 8:33:13 GMT -5
Agree with Pixie, so be sure to save documentation! In 1997 I was ordered to Panama on short notice. I was forced to short sell my VA-backed house due to the lousy market at the time, and had to come to a mutual arrangement with the bank to pay off my second mortgage (dumb enough to put a swimming pool in for the kids). I maxed out my credit cards and the bank agreed to waive several thousands of dollars. It was agreed in writing that the bank would not write that off as a bad debt, since it was by agreement and in both our interests to move the house. Unknown to me, the bank of course went back on their word and wrote off the amount as a bad debt, which killed my credit rating. When I was investigated by the Florida bar prior to admission there, I got a letter referencing my "financial irresponsibility" in having a "bad debt" and was asked to provide 5-years worth of cancelled checks so they could see what kind of a miscreant I was. Fortunately, even though I'd moved twice, I still had all the documents substantiating that the debt wasn't a bad one, but an agreed upon financial transaction. Florida accepted the documentation and cancelled their request for bank records. A few years later, when ICE hired me, I had to present the same documentation again for their background check. Other than to caution against putting in a swimming pool (only adds about half the cost of the pool to the value of the house), everybody should check their credit rating at least annually to ensure there are no errors on there. You can do everything right, but somebody else can still mess it up for you. Essentially, I found out I was being treated as if I had gone bankrupt - meaning that my credit rating was crap for 6-7 years. And you guessed it - it took about 6-7 years to clear it up! Thanks for the responses, Pixie & Stevil! Unfortunately I didn't see them before I responded (the 24 hour deadline had me nervous). I just gave my explanation, which is actually supported by the reports themselves. Here's hoping that will be sufficient. I can document, but have to dig some stuff out...
|
|
|
Post by jbm0265 on Aug 28, 2017 10:19:11 GMT -5
Now I'm nervous. I received the email flag notice on Thursday - 10 minutes before heading into surgery. I sent a quick response, asking for additional time from the 24 hours to respond. I was apparently afforded an extra 6 hours but thanks to surgery complications, and an unplanned second surgery, I was unable to respond til this morning (released yesterday from hospital). I sent a response anyway and am just hoping they will consider it...
|
|
|
Post by Mermaid on Aug 28, 2017 10:22:30 GMT -5
Now I'm nervous. I received the email flag notice on Thursday - 10 minutes before heading into surgery. I sent a quick response, asking for additional time from the 24 hours to respond. I was apparently afforded an extra 6 hours but thanks to surgery complications, and an unplanned second surgery, I was unable to respond til this morning (released yesterday from hospital). I sent a response anyway and am just hoping they will consider it... Good luck! Hopefully there is a good soul on the receiving end of your submission.
|
|
|
Post by aljwishhope on Sept 19, 2017 14:46:51 GMT -5
Do they always send emails when they have questions on this issue?
I am just concerned about Murphy's law and some error on credit report being an email nknown factor. I thought notice would be required under FCRA but the extent of notice is unclear.
As a fed and a member of various other entities I have gotten so many identity breach emails in the last few years (latest equivalent themselves) I fear reliance without rebuttal on the credit report.
|
|
|
Post by Judge McJudgeypants on Mar 5, 2018 13:30:06 GMT -5
Does anyone happen to know which of the 3 reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, or Transunion) OPM or SSA uses for its credit checks? Also, does anyone know whether they look only at the report or do they look at the credit score too?
|
|
|
Post by kylearan on Mar 5, 2018 14:37:25 GMT -5
Equifax.
|
|
|
Post by foghorn on Mar 5, 2018 19:15:27 GMT -5
|
|