Credit Check with Tier 1?

SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A
1

I recently received a job offer for a position with DHS. First they asked for a OF-306. I submitted that with all answers being no.
Then, a few days later, they asked for a credit release form and fingerprints. 2 days after submitting my form and fingerprints, I received instructions for filling out an SF-85 eqip. I have done that and submitted it.

I was under the impression that a Tier 1 did not require a credit check. Is that not the case?

I have ZERO financial issues (my FICO score is 780). I have never paid a bill late, never had a tax or any other kind of lien, and have never filed for bankruptcy, so I am not worried in the slightest about the credit check. I am just curious why they are doing it if the investigation is Tier 1? And I am wondering how much this might slow the investigation down? I am anxious to start this job!

My fingerprints check is a non-issue too as I have never committed or been charged with a crime, so I am not worried about anything. More so, I am just curious why they asked for a credit release if my level of investigation doesn’t require it?

2

This is standard procedure to see if you will not sign the release and are trying to hide something, they will not pull credit for Tier 1 on the SF85.

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3

Ah! I understand! Ok. Again, they can pull it every month if they want, I don’t care. I was just hoping it would not slow the investigation down at all. I want to start working! Lol.

Thank you for the response! I appreciate it.

4

Some agencies ask for a credit release for certain positions and run it themselves instead of asking OPM to run it. For a low risk position it would be a one time pull.

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5

Credit Bureau reports can be generated in the Tier 1 investigation under some conditions, one being the Agency requests the credit to be checked as part of the background check.

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