How do I know if it's REALLY Department of Defense?

[Anonymous]

In the past, my friends have always given me a heads up. In each case (four times), I was told they try not to do the interviews over the phone. I had one come to my home, two come to my office and one I met at a local Starbucks (I worked someplace where it was hard for the person to get to my office due to security).

However, in general, if you are ever uncertain about the authenticity of interactions with authority, you should always request confirmation. In this situation, as has been pointed out, you can ask what agency they work for, they name and/or identification number and contact the agency in question to get confirmation.

In a similar situation, if you are pulled over by a police officer and are concerned about the authenticity of the officer (especially if it is on a dark night or you are in an isolated position), you can always request that the officer request backup to confirm the authenticity of the officer for the stop. Also, you only need to roll down your window enough to speak through and to be able to pass your identification/registration through if necessary. You do not need to open your window all the way or open your door. Especially if you are a woman and especially at night. There have been incidents of criminals impersonating officers in order to gain access to victims.

[Anonymous]

I've had this happen before. I think they always called first though.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me in a condo building in Tysons - she said she was DOD and asked about a neighbor (I saw her buzz every single person in the building too).

She asked me if I noticed anything strange about the neighbor. I vouched that he was very normal and friendly, nothing ever out of the norm. I asked the DOD employee, and it was a very high level clearance as I recall that he was applying for.

[Anonymous]

I have a top secret DoD clearance. Investigators did both - they came unannounced to my neighbors doors to interview them and they called and spoke to friends and associates over the phone. The investigators were from DoD AND from OPM (DoD for Secret, OPM for Top Secret).

Bottom line is if you feel uncomfortable, ask to see ID, ask the investigator to make an appointment, and/or confirm that your friend/neighbor/associate is actually going through the clearance process.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for all the helpful advice. DH has top secret DOD clearance and he was given heads up about when they would interview. I had an idea of what would be asked. Although, I've never been the one in question like this before, I guess I was just shocked by the intensity of questioning and the frankness about specific crimes.
In addition, he asked me questions about the existence of their family (if they had a wife and children) which made me instantly feel uneasy about the interview. Seriously, I don't know my neighbors that well and suspect they would know this info...unless they are just verifying facts. I did not invite him in and asked for ID a couple times. He must have known I didn't feel comfortable.
Oh well, I know this for next time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for all the helpful advice. DH has top secret DOD clearance and he was given heads up about when they would interview. I had an idea of what would be asked. Although, I've never been the one in question like this before, I guess I was just shocked by the intensity of questioning and the frankness about specific crimes.
In addition, he asked me questions about the existence of their family (if they had a wife and children) which made me instantly feel uneasy about the interview. Seriously, I don't know my neighbors that well and suspect they would know this info...unless they are just verifying facts. I did not invite him in and asked for ID a couple times. He must have known I didn't feel comfortable.
Oh well, I know this for next time.

Your DH is very lucky. I have a Top Secret/SCI and never have been notified when anyone would be contacted for an interview. The only way I know if someone has been interviewed is if that person tells me. As a matter of fact, they never tell us where I work that your investigation (or reinvestigation; we're required to do one every 5 years) is even complete, or that you've passed a polygraph (also required where I work). The general notion is that no news is good news.

[Anonymous]

Wow. Guys. High security fed jobs invariably will send a person or a questionnaire to your neighbors and or anyone you cite as a reference. I'm really surprised people on here don't know this. DCUM generally has more knowledgable
posters.

[Anonymous]

Ask them what office they work for, google the office phone number and call and confirm that the person works there. A neighbor of mine did that before answering questions about my clearance, but I think it would work for any police/DOD investigation.

[Anonymous]

Common in our hood. It's usually OPM and they don't flash it. They take the time to say who they are, name, agency and point out what to look for.

Not a big deal- with the questions they ask, I certainly wouldn't care if someone asked them about me. Honestly you don't usually know your neighbours well enough to say more than "he doesn't wear a tin foil hat and mow the lawn naked".