What is a Credit Privacy Number (CPN)?

Bad credit can be a real pain. It makes getting a credit card, car loan or apartment tough. That's why ads for credit privacy numbers (CPNs) sound tempting. They promise a fresh start with a brand new credit identity.

But here's the truth: CPNs are illegal scams. Full stop.

What exactly is a CPN?

A CPN is a nine-digit number that looks just like a Social Security Number (SSN). Companies sell them as a way to hide bad credit or bankruptcy. They claim you can use this number instead of your SSN when applying for credit.

Why CPNs are scams

These companies aren't legit. They often steal SSNs from kids, seniors, or inmates to create these numbers.

Watch for these red flags:

• They charge money (sometimes thousands) for a CPN

• They tell you to use fake addresses or phone numbers

• They say it's all about "protecting your identity"

Using a CPN isn't just sketchy—it's identity theft. Lying on credit applications is a federal crime. Not worth it!

CPNs vs. Real ID Numbers

Don't confuse CPNs with legitimate numbers like:

• Social Security Numbers (issued by the Social Security Administration)

• Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (issued by the IRS for certain people who can't get SSNs)

Can you get a new SSN?

The Social Security Administration only issues new SSNs in extreme cases like identity theft victims, people facing harassment or danger, or certain religious objections.

Even then, your old and new SSNs stay linked forever. There's no clean slate.

Fix your credit the right way

Skip the CPN scam and rebuild your credit honestly:

1. Pay bills on time—this matters most

2. Keep your credit card balances low (under 30% of your limits)

3. Hold off on applying for new credit

4. Keep old accounts open

5. Look into services like KOHO Credit Building

Getting started

Pull your free credit report to see what's hurting your score most. Then tackle those issues first.

Yes, fixing credit takes time—but doing it right means you won't risk jail time. And your credit will actually improve for real.