Number 1.  This is a sticking point depending on what type of security clearance you are going for.  If you felt under pressure to cheat on a "competition", that was for MONEY and COMPENSATION, than you should not apply.  Most recent security breaches in our lifetime were for small sums of money.  BIG PROBLEM if you are to be trusted with Top Security clearance. 

Number 2.  This is no big deal as long as you can supply copies of disputed charges that make sense.

Point number 1 bothers me far more than point number 2 and the number one problem of current applicants is financial stress and responsibility.

You are walking around in a mine field.  Your application is going to be hit or miss.  If they find out about your previous termination in lieu of dismissal, I assure you, your application is over if you have not disclosed it ahead of time.  If they do not, you might have a chance.

Regards.

I am filling out my Sf-86 for a top secret SSBI.

 
I have a few concerns and questions regarding this process.

 
First of all, I have never had any alcohol or drugs problem, credit scores in the 600-750 range, no bankruptcies, never been arrested or anything so I am ok on that end... There are two issues that I am concerned about as to how to approach them on the SF-86 as well on the poly.

#1.

About 8 years I go I was let go by an employer because of cheating on a competition. Basically, I got a code, for every cell phone I sold. The sequence number of the code was straight forward so I started entering that to increase my points. The employer (obviously) found out and I was let go. There was no monetary gain and no police report. That case is not on my record (I believe) because I have had many jobs held after that - currently with Federal agency that requires minimum background investigation. That doesn’t mean that if the investigator contacts that employer (that let me go), they won’t share it with the investigator. 

How should I approach this on my security interview, SF-86 and the poly? I am VERY Concerned about this. Will the fact that it was 8 years ago and just after my high school, might work in my favor?

 
#2.

I have some bills that are shown as being with a collection agency at the moment. The two bills are less then $700 in total. I am in dispute with them because I didn’t satisfactorily receive the services I was promised for. And I don’t like to pay for services I don’t receive.

What do you suggest in regards to this? Should I just pay up and not have to deal with it or should I honestly explain my pov to the investigator? I figure even If I pay up, I will still have to do some explanation.

 

Will appreciate some assistance and guidance with these two.