FICO score

[StartingOut]

When agencies conduct a background investigation, they'll pull a credit report. My question is what kind of credit issues are they looking for? For instance, my FICO score isn't great (like, really not great at all), but it's not because of late payments or delinquencies. I've always been able to manage my debt. I do have a somewhat high revolving balance on a couple of cards, simply because I had to use these for very unexpected health expenses during college. (Yes, I had health insurance and yes, I had a job during college too. This was for some very large medical expenses that I'm still annoyed weren't covered.)

Are investigators going to see that I've always paid on time and ask why a couple of balances are high, or are they going to briefly glance at my FICO score and use that to form their opinion?

[Joeyd6]

At my agency we d a prehire I, and OPM does a "full" background later on. We do not look at FICO. We look at how many accounts, where they are at, the balance, and payment history for last 24 months. We then compare that to the employment history to see what is going on. Are they living outside their means? Charging everything? Recent death in family? Recently taking care of sick family, etc...

A car loan, student loan, mortgage and a credit card and two are normal. But when we get the kid who claims he has not been supported by mom & dad, is 23, works a job that pays $10 an hour, has a Hummer car note for $30K, $50K in student loans, and a Best Buy Credit Card maxed at $4K, a Circuit City card maxed at $2K and a general charge card at $15K, he is not hired.

My agency investigates large dollar amount cases. It would be nothing for a subject to offer a bribe. When you have that kind of spending history, and no circumstances to support it, you are a possible liability. Don't know your circumstances but as long as what you have is paid on time, and the debt is reasonable or explainable (besides "I needed to have teh new Sony 52" plasma."), you will be fine.

[StartingOut]

That's good to hear. Thanks.