Reply to: Do HSBC Credit Check Contractors???

[RedTag]

JoJo - dude, this thread is from May. Just wondering how the fella got on...

[JoJoGabor]

Of the two contracts I have been successful with this year, both did full 3rd party 5-year vetting procedures through First Advantage Europe which is very thorough - they will pick up anything related to a bad credit rating. I think this is standard practice in all financial firms now. I would put money that it will be picked up, but then that info will be passed to RBS to make a judgement on whether they accept that risk or not. THing is this vetting can take around 4 - 6 weeks to come through, so you are likely to start on site, then when this CCJ is picked up, you could potentially be escorted offsite immediately and the contract terminated. I'd fess up now and ask them before going through the hassle and stress.

[RedTag]

So, how did you go?

[Lewis]

I've recently started a contract at HSBC - as well as the usual checks carried out by an external agency (Kroll) like credit check, criminal record, job history, education etc, they also put you through an internal account opening process which is where they do another more thorough credit check - just spoke to one of the permies here and they've confirmed that if you have a CCJ (less than 10 years ago) then you wouldn't get through the internal check ...

It took 6 weeks between me accepting the contract and actually starting due to the time it takes to carry out all these checks too, so if you've already been put forward, it could take a while before you find out.

In my experience of HSBC it depends very much what agency you have come through. All the contractors from one agency got credit checked a while back (some had already been on site over a year!) but nobody else did.

You may also be presented with an IR35 unfriendly three way contract that you must sign shortly after starting (on top of your agency conract). Again this seems a bit hit and miss who gets called in to sign.

[johnhol]

I've recently started a contract at HSBC - as well as the usual checks carried out by an external agency (Kroll) like credit check, criminal record, job history, education etc, they also put you through an internal account opening process which is where they do another more thorough credit check - just spoke to one of the permies here and they've confirmed that if you have a CCJ (less than 10 years ago) then you wouldn't get through the internal check ...

It took 6 weeks between me accepting the contract and actually starting due to the time it takes to carry out all these checks too, so if you've already been put forward, it could take a while before you find out.

Actually if the CCJ was over 6 years then they can not trace it. I had one from uni...removed from file 3 years ago and doesn;t show up on ANY check.

Permie is exaggerating......but OP is still knackered...

[Sezzler]

I've recently started a contract at HSBC - as well as the usual checks carried out by an external agency (Kroll) like credit check, criminal record, job history, education etc, they also put you through an internal account opening process which is where they do another more thorough credit check - just spoke to one of the permies here and they've confirmed that if you have a CCJ (less than 10 years ago) then you wouldn't get through the internal check ...

It took 6 weeks between me accepting the contract and actually starting due to the time it takes to carry out all these checks too, so if you've already been put forward, it could take a while before you find out.

[Menelaus]

Makes you realize how badly a CCJ can ruin your life.

I am not a legal eagle but the CCJ HAS to be approved by a judge before it is released , right ? and if so on what basis is it approved ? i.e. say its some crazy ex landlord claming that you still live in his flat when you don't and you owe £1000 in unpaid water rates bils ? would a judge sctutinize the alleged debt before approving the CCJ against you ? or do you have to attend court to defend yourself ?

Its a pretty big deal going to a CCJ hearing or the trial for the CCJ itself I guess, must be avoided at all costs these days so it seems. If you get the CCJ in terms of stigma and the barriers it creates for you .... its almost as bad as serving prison for 3 months with a record so it seems.

This sucks.

Agreed, but you have to file a defence and then having filed a defence the Court will list a date at which time you will appear.

[BrilloPad]

Just secured a gig with HSBC after being out of work a while..miracles do happen!
Only thing is i've recently got a CCJ for defaulting on a loan...do these boys credit check contractors and if they do.....am I up sh*t creek??

Yes they will.

I suggest you substitute someone instead. How about me?

[eliquant]

Makes you realize how badly a CCJ can ruin your life.

I am not a legal eagle but the CCJ HAS to be approved by a judge before it is released , right ? and if so on what basis is it approved ? i.e. say its some crazy ex landlord claming that you still live in his flat when you don't and you owe £1000 in unpaid water rates bils ? would a judge sctutinize the alleged debt before approving the CCJ against you ? or do you have to attend court to defend yourself ?

Its a pretty big deal going to a CCJ hearing or the trial for the CCJ itself I guess, must be avoided at all costs these days so it seems. If you get the CCJ in terms of stigma and the barriers it creates for you .... its almost as bad as serving prison for 3 months with a record so it seems.

This sucks.

[swamp]

See this from the day before yesterday.

http://forums.contractoruk.com/gener...-read-sun.html

[nevergoingtopay]

RBS for example have a policy of not recruiting anyone who couldn't get a standard current account with them. So if you could successfully apply for one of their standard current accounts (hypothetically) you're in. Unfortunately, a CCJ would most likely stop you getting a standard current account. My personal opinion is that this policy is laughable judging by the fact the place was/is run by people with the financial acumen of a gnat.

RBS will not employ anyone with bad credit history especially defaults and CCJs. It is a disciplinary if you are a permie and means they will terminate you as per employment contract if not resolved within a few weeks.

Most of the fraud in the bank has been traced to people with credit issues etc like Fred and Co....

I contracted there for 3 years and in the final year we were even having CRBs done on contractors working on sensitive systems.

I had the checks done each year, so it’s not just a PES check.

So doubt any bank or finance company would touch you with a CCJ, sorry!

[ib4969]

Many thanks for the useful replies (in most cases!), i'm gonna take my chances!

With regards to the ....Why would you think a bank would not do a credit history check on you, especially if you are going to work for them? Do you think that everyone that wants to work for them is totally honest and full of integrity?....comment...Answer...Having been in an around Financial Services companies of all types for the past 20 years...their standards and processes when it comes to recruitment vary not only from company to company...but also from division to division.

[GardenGirl]

I agree it is hit and miss. I worked with someone who went bankrupt but because they were with a different agent to me they weren't checked. I wouldn't write it off yet, but that said I'd still keep looking for work.

[Lewis]

Just secured a gig with HSBC after being out of work a while..miracles do happen!
Only thing is i've recently got a CCJ for defaulting on a loan...do these boys credit check contractors and if they do.....am I up sh*t creek??

To the best of my knowledge it is inconsistent. I know of a few who have been checked but others have not been checked. Take your chances.

[HairyArsedBloke]

...if the whole reason you got the judgement is lack of work then hey ho, this very thing may stop you getting further work...

Aye, there are going to be many, many more cases of this in the years to come.