Asking for historical financial records?

[Anonymous]

My husband is undergoing a background investigation as part of a conditional offer and they want to see historical credit card, bank, mortgage, and auto loan statements, for the past six months. I believe it is to analyze income/expenditure, but it feels a little unfair and like an inaccurate assessment in a marital household.

We pay all of our bills on time, always, but I don’t know how it’s going to look that we just paid out thousands this summer on vacations, the purchase of some new furniture, and paid for some home improvements. Our CCs were very high (though paid off) the past three months, and savings a bit depleted (I receive an annual bonus every October so we anticipate this and make purchases over the summer.) Both our auto loan and mortgage payments were 12 days late at one point over the summer as well, as there was an issue with our auto-payment after an in-app glitch. Not sure it matters, but our main CC is in my name and I’ve had it since before we were married; DH is authorized and we use it for points.

On paper right now, it looks like we make horrible financial decisions. Is there anything he can do to mitigate this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband is undergoing a background investigation as part of a conditional offer and they want to see historical credit card, bank, mortgage, and auto loan statements, for the past six months. I believe it is to analyze income/expenditure, but it feels a little unfair and like an inaccurate assessment in a marital household.

We pay all of our bills on time, always, but I don’t know how it’s going to look that we just paid out thousands this summer on vacations, the purchase of some new furniture, and paid for some home improvements. Our CCs were very high (though paid off) the past three months, and savings a bit depleted (I receive an annual bonus every October so we anticipate this and make purchases over the summer.) Both our auto loan and mortgage payments were 12 days late at one point over the summer as well, as there was an issue with our auto-payment after an in-app glitch. Not sure it matters, but our main CC is in my name and I’ve had it since before we were married; DH is authorized and we use it for points.

On paper right now, it looks like we make horrible financial decisions. Is there anything he can do to mitigate this?

What type of role/position is he applying for, that is asking this level of detail. I have to provide financial investment disclosures each year, conflict of interest forms...

[Anonymous]

Why can't they just pull a credit report?

Is this a federal job with a national security clearance?

[Anonymous]

"There are also rules about the types of questions an employer can ask you:

your employment history
education
other public records, financial or credit history, and your public social media activities
Employers cannot ask you about and check your background for

medical information if they haven’t offered you the job. Employers may ask you for medical information in limited circumstances either after they’ve offered you the job, or after your employment begins.
genetic information, including your family medical history (except in limited circumstances)"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can't they just pull a credit report?

Is this a federal job with a national security clearance?

They are, apparently, which is why I wonder why it matters. DH seems to think it’s some sort of “test” to see if he will actually comply or instead attempt to side-step it. It’s a job in state government, though not financial.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"There are also rules about the types of questions an employer can ask you:

your employment history
education
other public records, financial or credit history, and your public social media activities
Employers cannot ask you about and check your background for

medical information if they haven’t offered you the job. Employers may ask you for medical information in limited circumstances either after they’ve offered you the job, or after your employment begins.
genetic information, including your family medical history (except in limited circumstances)"

I understand. But he doesn’t want to lose the offer by non-compliance. They also have the right not to hire him.

[Anonymous]

"Financial information" includes current or past assets, liabilities, or credit rating, bankruptcy or garnishment, refusal or cancellation of bonding, car ownership, rental or ownership of a house, length of residence at an address, charge accounts, furniture ownership, or bank accounts.

Wow!?

[Anonymous]

I’m curious what they would be attempting to gauged that can’t be determined by credit check?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious what they would be attempting to gauged that can’t be determined by credit check?

Furniture ownership, obvi

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious what they would be attempting to gauged that can’t be determined by credit check?

Furniture ownership, obvi

Ugh! I knew that settee would bite me in the ass!

[Anonymous]

I have to do this every year- tax forms, bank statements, credit card statements, etc... it annoys me because I know they can get it themselves but I think it is partly to see what I turn over.

If he wants the job, he has to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to do this every year- tax forms, bank statements, credit card statements, etc... it annoys me because I know they can get it themselves but I think it is partly to see what I turn over.

If he wants the job, he has to do it.

So you agree it’s probably to see how well he complies? He’s been compiling everything (they want print outs which isn’t as quick and easy and it sounds in a digital world) and it’s been sort of a PITA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't they just pull a credit report?

Is this a federal job with a national security clearance?

They are, apparently, which is why I wonder why it matters. DH seems to think it’s some sort of “test” to see if he will actually comply or instead attempt to side-step it. It’s a job in state government, though not financial.

That's crazy. A Top Secret security clearance doesn't require one to turn over this level of documentation - they just pull credit reports, which show active and closed lines of credits, balances, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't they just pull a credit report?

Is this a federal job with a national security clearance?

They are, apparently, which is why I wonder why it matters. DH seems to think it’s some sort of “test” to see if he will actually comply or instead attempt to side-step it. It’s a job in state government, though not financial.

That's crazy. A Top Secret security clearance doesn't require one to turn over this level of documentation - they just pull credit reports, which show active and closed lines of credits, balances, etc.

Depends on where you are working with that clearance. Some agencies require an annual report of all bank and credit card statements.

[Anonymous]

I always thought it was to assess whether you were compromisable (?), but a state government position doesn't seem likely to involve that possibility.