I Lied About Filing Bankruptcy On My Job Application

Summary

Summary of "I Lied About Filing Bankruptcy On My Job Application" – The Ramsey Show Highlights

Episode Information

• Title: I Lied About Filing Bankruptcy On My Job Application
• Host: Ramsey Network
• Release Date: August 8, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Ramsey Show Highlights, Tina calls in to discuss a personal dilemma involving honesty on a job application. She admits to lying about a past bankruptcy filing and seeks advice on the potential repercussions of her actions.

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Caller’s Dilemma: Honesty on Job Applications

Tina's Situation Tina explains that while applying for a new career opportunity, she encountered a question on the application that inquired about past bankruptcy filings. She answered "no," despite having filed for bankruptcy over 35 years ago. Her primary reason for filing bankruptcy was to save her parents' home from foreclosure after they passed away. Tina clarifies that her intention was never to deceive creditors for personal gain.

Key Quote:

• Tina [00:09]: "I filed bankruptcy only because I wanted to save my parents' home who passed away and it had started to go into foreclosure."

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Rachel Cruze Weighs In: The Longevity of Bankruptcy Records

Rachel Cruze addresses Tina's concerns by explaining that bankruptcy records typically remain visible on credit reports for 7 to 10 years. Given that Tina's bankruptcy occurred 35 years ago, it's likely no longer present on her credit report.

Key Quotes:

• Rachel Cruze [01:01]: "I think 35 years exceeds that [the time frame for bankruptcy to remain on a credit report]."
• Rachel Cruze [03:21]: "What was yours? Was yours 13 or seven?"

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Dave Ramsey’s Perspective: Ethical Considerations

Dave Ramsey takes a stern stance on Tina's admission, emphasizing the ethical implications of her actions. He points out that lying on a job application undermines trustworthiness, regardless of the original intent behind the bankruptcy filing. Ramsey highlights that even if the bankruptcy is no longer visible on a credit report, the act of deception itself can be detrimental to Tina's professional reputation.

Key Quotes:

• Dave Ramsey [02:11]: "You're doing some unbelievable mental and ethical gymnastics. You defrauded you, you lied about your bankruptcy."
• Dave Ramsey [03:21]: "Chapter seven bankruptcies are usually remaining on your record for 10 years, and then 13 would be seven years."

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Discussion: The Impact of Disclosure and Honesty

The conversation delves into whether Tina should proactively disclose her past bankruptcy if the employer cannot directly access that information. Rachel Cruze suggests that if Tina secures an interview, it may be beneficial to come clean about her past to maintain integrity and peace of mind.

Key Quotes:

• Rachel Cruze [04:31]: "I was gonna say, if you can call the person, at least to get your conscience right…"
• Rachel Cruze [07:06]: "I wouldn't have lied."

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Dave Ramsey’s Advice: The Consequences of Dishonesty

Ramsey underscores the potential long-term consequences of Tina's dishonesty, including the possibility of losing trust with future employers. He warns that even with noble intentions behind the past bankruptcy, the act of lying on an application can damage Tina's chances of securing the job and harm her professional relationships.

Key Quotes:

• Dave Ramsey [04:31]: "But your whole point is, what you're telling Rachel and I, is I lied so that I don't get dismissed because I want to get the interview."
• Dave Ramsey [06:40]: "If you don't have a future in Congress, you have a future working for the FBI or the CIA."

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Tina’s Justification and Final Thoughts

Tina defends her actions by highlighting that her primary goal was to save her parents' home, presenting her decision as one born out of necessity rather than deceit. She expresses frustration over the predicament she's created for herself and contemplates changing her career path to avoid further complications.

Key Quotes:

• Tina [07:35]: "When I did that, we were able to save the home and we were able. My sisters and I were able to sell the home."
• Tina [06:49]: "Thank you. I appreciate that. Maybe I'll change my career path."

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Conclusion: Upholding Integrity in Professional Settings

The episode wraps up with a strong emphasis on the importance of honesty and integrity in professional environments. Ramsey and Cruze collectively advise Tina to consider the long-term implications of her actions and encourage transparency as the best path forward to maintain trust and credibility in her career.

Final Quote:

• Dave Ramsey [07:35]: "I get this. This is an old thing called the ends justify the means. Not a new concept at all. I think it's a tough situation. I'm not judging you. You did what you did."

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This episode serves as a compelling discussion on the moral and practical ramifications of dishonesty in job applications, highlighting the value of integrity over short-term gains.

Transcript

[Dave Ramsey]

Brought to you by Y Refi. Refinance your defaulted private student loans [e-mail].

[Tina]

Ramsey here's my dilemma. I have an opportunity, a new career opportunity. One of the questions on the application said you cannot have filed bankruptcy to deceive your creditors ever. So I answered no, that I had not. But over 35 years ago, I filed bankruptcy only because I wanted to save my parents home who passed away and it had started to go into foreclosure. So I did a quick claim deed to put it in my name so that I could file bankruptcy and save a home. So my question is, will they be able to see that? And how would they be able to see that?

[Rachel Cruze]

Well, the only reason they would be able to see it is if they pulled your credit report and so on. That yes, there would be the bankruptcy. But I think it disappears within a time frame And I think 35 years is, exceeds that. So I, I, are you googling, are you, are you looking up real quick again? I know the, the time frame itself, yeah, I, I, I think 35 years, it exceeds it. But my question to you, Tina, is was there any part of you because it said, did you file bankruptcy? And you said no, Correct?

[Tina]

Right?

[Rachel Cruze]

Yes. Is there, is there anything within you though from like a conscious standpoint of saying, hey, I did. It was 35 years ago and here's the reason why versus lying.

[Tina]

Well, see, and there lost the dilemma because I really didn't file bankruptcy to defraud my creditors. I had other creditors that I could have added to that. Bankruptcy.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah, but you, you, you, but you file bankruptcy to defraud your parents creditors, right?

[Tina]

Not mine. The question said.

[Dave Ramsey]

I know, but you're playing, you're playing some massive political semantics. You should run for Congress. I think this is, I think you've got a real skill for being a, an elected official. Here's the question. No, no, no, no, listen, you called us. You called us. Okay?

[Tina]

You're right.

[Dave Ramsey]

So, so first of all, I'm, by the way, I'm not judging you, okay? I'm just simply saying you, you're, you're doing some unbelievable mental and ethical gymnastics. You defrauded you, you, you lied about your bankruptcy. True or false?

[Tina]

True.

[Dave Ramsey]

Okay, so I don't, it's not my opinion, it's not Ken judging. But you called. So that's the first issue. The second issue is, is not only did you do that, you lied on your application and then you called us and you said, can they find out? And according to the, the rules Here you got chapter seven. Bankruptcies are usually remaining on your record for 10 years, and then 13 would be seven years.

[Rachel Cruze]

What was yours? Was yours 13 or seven?

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah.

[Tina]

Okay, so you're saying that it's not visible if they were to pull my.

[Dave Ramsey]

Credit report according to what I'm seeing on the Internet, but you should pull your own credit report on this because you've lied, and so now you're hoping that you don't get caught lying.

[Rachel Cruze]

Tina, is. Is the employer. Do you, like. Do you have a contact to them personally, or is this like a Internet application or something and there's, like, a faceless person behind it?

[Tina]

Well, it's. It was an online application. And once you say yes, you can explain. That's why I said no, so that I can explain. Once you say yes, you're not able to explain your situation.

[Dave Ramsey]

Why did you ask that, Rachel?

[Rachel Cruze]

Why did I ask what?

[Dave Ramsey]

That question you just asked her.

[Rachel Cruze]

Well, cause I was gonna say, if you can call the person, at least to get your conscience right, and just to say, hey, this happened on the application. Here's why I said it. Cause it didn't give me another, like, at least to be able to explain, to try to save the situation. I just wouldn't want to go into a work environment knowing I had lied. And you're just. There's a little bit of you that will always be looking over your shoulder.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah. And Tina, here's my concern for you. And again, no judgment here, but I'm just giving you my. My thoughts. Let's say you get through the process because you did lie. And your whole point is, what you're telling Rachel and I, is I lied so that I don't get dismissed because I want to get the interview. At which point I'm going to come clean on something I lied about 35 years ago. That's what you're telling us you're going to do. So if I believe you, I still think that could blow up in your face, because they could go, well, you lied on the. On the application about the fact that you lied 35 years ago. You know, I could see a lot of hiring managers go, I don't know that I can trust you. It's a good story. It sounds very Robin Hood esque. That's why I'm not.

[Tina]

I mean, seriously, the same thing.

[Dave Ramsey]

I'm not judging you. Sounds noble.

[Rachel Cruze]

Sure.

[Dave Ramsey]

But it's.

[Rachel Cruze]

There's at least a story behind. I mean, like. Yeah, but what line of work are you in, Tina? Is it like, financial?

[Tina]

No, no, it's sales. Yeah.

[Dave Ramsey]

Why would they ask that? I thought that was a very specific.

[Rachel Cruze]

That's what I'm wondering.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah. Why is it so specific about that on the job application?

[Tina]

Well, I mean, I really can't go too deep into that part because.

[Dave Ramsey]

So you're applying for a job where it matters. Right.

[Rachel Cruze]

Or the employer is going to listen to this segment.

[Tina]

No, no, no, Exactly.

[Dave Ramsey]

I'm not asking you.

[Tina]

She doesn't want to get caught because.

[Rachel Cruze]

She called the show.

[Dave Ramsey]

I know. I'm sorry.

[Tina]

I'm gon.

[Dave Ramsey]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

[Tina]

They listen. They may listen to Ramsey.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah, you think? Are you using a fake name, by the way?

[Rachel Cruze]

Don't. Don't put her on the spot.

[Tina]

See, she put me to a real spot.

[Dave Ramsey]

You called into a national show and told us about two massive lies, and you're worried about me putting it on the spot? Here's what I was asking. No, no, no. Stay with me. I don't. I'm not. I'm not dumb enough to ask you the name of the company. I mean, I know I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I'm not that dumb. I'm asking, is it a. What industry is it in? What type of work is it that would ask that question?

[Tina]

I can't tell you because it will give too much information on.

[Dave Ramsey]

I got to tell you something, Tina. If you don't have a future in Congress, you have a future working for the FBI or the CIA.

[Tina]

Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you. Maybe I'll change my. My career path.

[Dave Ramsey]

You probably should. I feel like this is straight out of the lines.

[Rachel Cruze]

Well, my advice to you, Tina, would be if you end up getting the interview, you have to come clean for your own. You know what I mean? Your own. I mean.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah, but, I mean, I.

[Rachel Cruze]

She may not get the job because of. Is what you're saying.

[Dave Ramsey]

I'm saying it's a roll of the dance.

[Rachel Cruze]

Yes, but they may also be like, oh, that's great. Okay. Yeah, that part doesn't really matter. And then they may move on.

[Tina]

I don't know exactly 35 years ago. You do.

[Rachel Cruze]

I wouldn't have lied.

[Dave Ramsey]

Look at you, Tina. You are. You are running for Congress from the great state of Texas. You're going to do great on the Sunday morning shows. You'll do great in all of the. It's a joke. Really. Not complimenting you.

[Tina]

Oh, let me tell you something.

[Dave Ramsey]

Yeah.

[Tina]

Let me tell you something. When I did that, we were able to. To save the home and we were able. My sisters and I were able to sell the home.

[Dave Ramsey]

I get this. This is an old thing called the ends justify the means. Not a new concept. Not a new concept at all. I think it's a tough situation. I'm not judging you. You did what you did. You're a nice, nice daughter. You got yourself in a situation, potentially. Hope it goes well. I take the Dyson with me and roll them, baby. Roll them. Why? Refi Refinances delinquent private student loans for struggling borrowers. Learn more at Y r e f y.com Ramsey.