Panicking about credit check for job

[FizzyJuiceJunkie]

I have a really strange situation with my credit file. I’m moving to a new role within the firm I am employed by currently, but because it’s a different location, they need to re-do some background checks including a credit check.

I have no CCJs, no involuntary agreements, no bankruptcies, nothing of that kind to worry about. All bills paid in time, no credit card at all.

HOWEVER, there was one missed payment to o2 around 3 years ago. There was an issue with my bank account when I was out of the country for 4 months and the direct debit didn’t go through. Since I wasn’t in town, I never knew and by the time I returned around £100 had gone into collection.

I paid the collection agency as soon as I found out what had happened and they said they would alert the credit reference agencies that the default had been paid off.

The utterly bizarre thing is that the default never showed up on my credit file. I checked with all three agencies, and even called Experian and Equifax to see if they could do some extra searches. But nothing came up- not the actual default or the record of it having been paid off.

I worried endlessly, but I remember I passed the background and credit checks when I first joined the firm about 15 months ago. I also passed a check from Vodafone and a letting agency since then. So i have assumed until now that the default is just not on my file, otherwise I couldn’t have passed all these checks.

Now that I have to go through another credit check for a much-awaited job offer, I am starting to worry again! Is it possible that the default will show up after all this time? Or can I assume that it just isn’t there? I remember o2 said that the collection agency would put the default on my file because I was never actually issued with a default notice. The collection agency on the other hand said they don’t add defaults, the usually just update the ones already added by o2. So perhaps it was crossed wires and nobody added the default to my file?

Because honestly, I’ve actually gotten Experian to check against each of my addresses and they couldn’t find anything!!

If its not showed up by now its either being removed or its never actually being sent to the credit referencing agencies.

Id be more concerned with your obsession over such a minor transgression that has being fully satisfied. Relax, its a non issue.

I work in the financial sector and we complete these type of checks on all staff and companies/staff who are looking to work with us. We're looking for adverse credit which may mean that a person is more likely to be open to fraud/information security theft etc. it's normally just ccjs/bankruptcy etc and even then if it's only £100 and it's been settled it wouldn't cause any issues. Don't worry about it you won't have any issues at all

I know I'm overreacting, it's because this job is really crucial for me right now. I really need the money and I really enjoy this line of work.

I suppose it does seem a bit pointless to worry about a default that didn't show up in the first background check. You're right that it would be unlikely for it to show up now.

I was thinking of a far fetched possibility where they missed it the first time.

A friend in HR said that they can't even see defaults in these background checks because they only search for CCJ, IVA and bankruptcies. is this true?

You poor thing. Look, l don't think anyone here can truly reassure you.
It isn't on your file, so you are going to have to trust that it won't magically do so!
Relax. Think if it this way. If you are supposed to gave this job - you will.
Good luck

Sorry, for odd letting. I need to sort out my typing.

Thanks

I am not usually this obsessive and crazy!

Honestly, thanks ladies! I feel much better about things now.

I used to do credit checks all the time as Head of HR for my last company and we aren't looking for defaults - we are looking for CCJ's etc (and to confirm you are who you say you are)! We don't see anything like you see when you do a credit search. It basically tells us you've never been declared bankrupt, no CCJ's and addresses.

Stop worrying and good luck with the new job!

Oh BizzieBoo, thanks so much! That's so reassuring

OP - Take a breath! you have been working for this company for well over a year, they obviously value you and are moving you to a new role.

It sounds like nothing is going to come up on a credit check as you can't even find anything and you know that it happened!

Even if it does come up, they are not going to fire you without talking to you first. I really don't think it is going to come up but if it does, cross that bridge when it does.

Congratulations on the new job!

Thanks 8angle

Update-

I found out that my employer checks Equifax for credit reports. Got an alert for a search.

There's no default on my equifax credit file, but there's a couple of things I wanted to clarify.

I've only been at my current address for a year and I did register with the council on this address. Despite it, I'm being told my credit score is poor because I'm not registered on the electoral roll!! The background screening is already done (although I don't know yet if I passed or not) so is this something that would have affected it?

I'll obviously look into ensuring the records are updated for future, but I'm not sure if this is an issue for now.

Secondly, Equifax only asked me for my past three addresses. Experian on the other hand asked for a complete 6 year address history because they said there could be accounts associated with linked addresses that I wouldn't see unless I entered those addresses.

Equifax on the other hand are saying that there are no linked addresses for my account since all my accounts were either transferred to existing addresses or closed down. They also said that they only keep records of the past three years address history and not six.

This doesn't sound very convincing to me...

In all honesty, l think you are worrying again.
There isn't anything to make them think you are a risk. You don't have anything on your file that they are checking for.
A bit like being issued a parking fine, and you've convinced yourself they will find you stole it.
Irrational. I've been there.
Good luck, they've done the check - what will be, will be.

Thank you

I'm trying to let it go and not worry!

It's just that I've been waiting for 4 weeks for them to confirm my start date and let me know that the check was all clear. I'm still waiting

How did it go? Did you get the job?