Expert: John Grussing - 8/6/2009

Question
I am 24 years old and currently going through a process to be hired by a fire department and I have my interview soon and was advised that I would have to fill out a background packet prior to the interview.  I know that they may want to run a credit history as part of the background.  The problem is that when I was around 19 I found that my father opened several accounts in my name and did not pay them which ruined my credit.  I contacted the police and received a report for the crime.  My father begged me not to pursue charges and told me he would pay me the money to pay the accounts.  I did not pursue charges (even though my father committed a crime against me, I still cared for him.)  My father stuck to his word and paid me the money to pay off the accounts and I am currently paying off the last bit at this time.  Other than that I have nothing in my history, everything else is clean.  What kind of shot do I have, if any, at landing the job?  Thank-You for your time.

Answer
Gary,
  First of all, I want to be clear that every department has its own hiring standards and what may be a disqualifier at one department may not be at another. It is important that you are completely open and honest with the department. Take a copy of the police report and explain to them in detail what happened. Credit history is not as important as criminal history but it does speak to character. If you are honest and clear it shouldn't hinder you from getting hired. They may ask you to take an additional polygraph exam related specifically to this incident and you should do so without complaint. It may also be helpful to ask your father to give a deposition or a sworn affidavit testifying to his role in the incident. Hope this helps. Good luck.