Why am I being sent a Financial Questionnaire (FQ) now? The reasons for this can vary. One of the standard checks we carry out when someone is being security cleared is with a credit reference agency. If you have been living overseas, or in Service or similar accommodation, DBS NSV may have little or no information on you and we will be unable to assess your suitability for clearance. The completed questionnaire enables us to proceed with your clearance.
Sometimes, where you have told us about financial problems in the past, you will be sent a questionnaire so that we can assess your current situation.
Why me? I'm only SC cleared and none of my colleagues have been sent a FQ?
You may have been told that the FQ is only completed by people who are undergoing Developed Vetting (DV). However, as explained above, it is also sent to people for other reasons. You are not being discriminated against. We simply want you to provide us with the financial information we need to complete our checks.
Do I have to answer all the questions?
Yes. An incomplete FQ may have to be returned to you and this will delay the vetting process. It is essential that you are open and honest in your answers. Please do not lie or hide information. Doing so is likely to result in your clearance being refused.
Why do you need my/my partner's financial information?
If you or your partner have previously been, or are currently in serious financial difficulty, or show signs of financial irresponsibility, you could be vulnerable to pressure or bribery.
Debts such as mortgages, loans or credit cards will not normally affect your suitability to hold a DV clearance as long as you are able to keep up the repayments properly. However your financial situation will be carefully considered and each case will be judged on its merits.
We may make enquiries if you seem to have large amounts of savings that you cannot explain. The Vetting Officer will ask you to bring some financial and other documents to the interview (see below for details).
If you have a partner we recommend you share all this information with them. Without your partner's details we may have insufficient information to make a decision on your clearance. Please be assured that we do not retain any bank or credit card numbers.
What will happen if I refuse to complete the FQ?
We will be unable to complete our checks and you will not get a security clearance.
What happens if you are not satisfied with my answers?
We may have to contact you for clarification or to obtain additional information.
If you are in financial difficulties, or there are other concerns, we may arrange for a Vetting Officer to interview you. The Vetting Officer may ask you to produce documentary evidence in order to verify the information you provided in the FQ.
If you are subsequently given a clearance we may decide that your financial position will be kept under review. You will be told if this is to happen.
Will you pass the information on the FQ to anyone else?
All personal information gathered during the vetting process is handled in the strictest confidence by DBS NSV.
In some cases, where serious risks have been identified, we may discuss the case with the appropriate security authorities. In an even smaller number of risky cases, and only where the person being vetted agrees, line management may be given some relevant information and be asked to help manage the risk.
There is an extremely remote possibility of disclosure of vetting information in connection with criminal or civil proceedings. If you have any concerns about confidentiality, please telephone DBS NSV for advice.
Can you provide advice on financial problems?
No. We cannot provide financial advice to vetting subjects.
Organisations that may be able to offer advice include the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, the Credit Consumer Counselling Service, or the National Debtline.
Can you send me a copy of any information you have received from the credit reference company?
No. But you can obtain a copy of your credit record by going to "Experian" under Related links and paying a small fee.