A credit privacy number (CPN) is a fraudulent substitute for a Social Security number (SSN) that should not be used to obtain credit. Scammers sometimes mislead people with damaged credit into believing they can use a CPN to hide from their financial past and obtain new credit cards and loans, but this is illegal.
These nine-digit fill-ins are also known as credit profile numbers and credit protection numbers. Companies that sell CPNs falsely claim that people looking to rebuild their credit can use a CPN to create a new credit identity.
What Is a CPN Used For?
Someone may use a CPN to apply for new credit. They typically do this by entering the CPN into the Social Security number field on the application, hoping that the CPN will obscure the connection between their name and the actual contents of their credit reports. They are misled to believe that when a lender or creditor runs the CPN instead of their SSN, none of the negative information on their credit report will be visible to the lender, and they can get approved for new credit.
The practice of using a CPN as a replacement for your SSN on a credit application is illegal, and credit bureaus don’t acknowledge any legitimate applications for CPNs. They also don’t rely solely on Social Security numbers to connect individuals to their credit histories.
“Experian does not recognize so-called ‘credit privacy numbers,’” Rod Griffin, the company’s director of consumer education, told WalletHub. “We would identify them as invalid Social Security numbers. When a credit report is requested, Experian matches the credit history using all of the identifying information provided, not just a Social Security number. Altering or providing false identifying information in an attempt to avoid accurate but negative credit history may be fraudulent, resulting in potential legal ramifications.”
Is a CPN Illegal?
Using a CPN to apply for credit is illegal, as misrepresenting or lying about your Social Security number on a credit application is a federal crime. In addition, credit privacy numbers may actually be stolen Social Security numbers that may have been assigned to children, seniors, or prison inmates.
“CPNs are not legal and are something criminal actors are utilizing to conduct fraudulent activity,” Samantha T. Shero, a spokesperson with the FBI National Press Office, told WalletHub via email. “Often times they lie or mislead individuals who are trying to get a fresh start which can wrap the individual up in illegal activity themselves (i.e. applying for loans with the CPN). They typically use inactive SSNs, such as children or deceased individuals’ SSNs.”
Can a CPN Ever Be Used Legally?
The short answer is no. But there’s a great deal of confusion that shrouds whether CPNs can ever be used legally. Numerous outlets have propagated the spy-novel notion that CPNs are used for the secretive yet potentially legitimate purpose of protecting the identities of Congress members, celebrities, and people who are in the federal witness protection program.
In addition, scammers may falsely claim that CPNs can be used due to a provision in the Privacy Act of 1974 that protects people from having to disclose their SSN to government agencies. However, lenders are not part of the government, and applying for credit is a choice, not a right under the law.
Still, while it is clear that using a CPN on a credit application to cover up poor credit history is illegal, whether a CPN itself is illegal is less certain. Furthermore, the authorities haven’t done much to clear things up.
What Government Officials Have Said
WalletHub followed up on the matter with the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
“The CPNs you referenced are not assigned or managed by Social Security,” William ‘BJ’ Jarrett, a disability specialist at SAA, told WalletHub via email. “The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has the lead on identity theft and may be able to help.”
The FTC ultimately directed us back to the SSA, in typical bureaucratic fashion, but at least provided a more concrete stance on the fringe legitimacy of CPNs. "They are almost always a scam,” said former FTC press officer Jay Mayfield III. “We don’t have anything to do with credit privacy numbers.”
While officials from the SSA and FTC confirmed that their agencies do not oversee CPNs, they could not definitively state that CPNs are never legitimately used – further clouding already muddied waters.
Why the Confusion Is Troubling
At a time when fraud, identity theft and data security are top of mind, the notion that federal agencies central to the narrative of CPN legitimacy may not have a full grasp on the issue is unsettling. If these pseudo-Socials are actually being assigned to Congresspeople and federal witnesses — or even if someone is passing off such misinformation as fact — the SSA and the FTC should probably know enough about the issue to definitively set the record straight.
After all, the SSA issues Social Security numbers and would therefore be the logical choice to assign CPNs, if they were in fact legally used. And if not, one would think the SSA would be among the most knowledgeable agencies on the subject of Social Security number abuse. Similarly, the FTC has the dual mandate of safeguarding consumers and promoting competition, and its tagline is even “Protecting America’s Consumers.”
CPN vs. SSN: Key Differences
| Category | CPN | SSN |
| Stands For | Credit Privacy Number Credit Profile Number Credit Protection Number |
Social Security Number |
| How Many Numbers? | 9 | 9 |
| Purpose | Used instead of an SSN to hide your credit history | Used to verify your identity |
| Issued By | May be sold by fraudulent companies | The U.S. government |
| Legitimate | Illegal to use instead of SSN on credit applications | Yes |
While a Social Security number (SSN) is a legitimate nine-digit number issued by the U.S. government and used to verify someone’s identity, a credit privacy number (CPN) is not issued by the government and is often used to hide someone’s identity. It is illegal to use a CPN to hide your identity on a credit application.
How to Steer Clear of CPN Scams
Fraud and identity theft are far easier to deal with from a preventive perspective than they are once they’ve infiltrated your financial life. That’s why taking steps to build a solid defense is the best offense when dealing with CPN scams.
Recognize There Are No Shortcuts
There is no magic trick or service that can somehow “repair” your credit overnight. Accurate negative items on your credit report cannot be removed early, which means the only way to mitigate their impact is to devalue their relevance to your future financial performance through consistent, responsible money management.
Instead of wasting time and money trying to game the system, thereby risking a run-in with the law, it’s a far better idea to place a refundable security deposit on a secured credit card and then proceed to make on-time payments each month. Progress may seem slow, but it will leave you better positioned for financial success in the long run.
Research the Company
The better you understand how credit building actually works, the easier it will be to spot fraudulent claims made by people or companies purporting far-fetched relief capabilities in the hopes of exploiting your financial circumstances. But fraud isn’t always readily apparent, so it’s a good idea to get into the habit of researching any service provider before paying a dime or providing any sensitive financial information.
Reading consumer reviews, checking for government fraud advisories, and poking around the provider’s website are all steps that will help elucidate their legitimacy, or lack thereof. You can find reviews on thousands of companies and professionals here on WalletHub.
Monitor Your Credit
Regularly reviewing your major credit reports will enable you to spot signs of fraud as soon as possible. Signing up for a credit monitoring service as well is even better, since you’ll receive real-time alerts about changes to your report.
If, for example, someone steals your Social Security number and uses it to open a credit card in your name, you’ll know about it. This can speed up your reaction time, allowing you to put a freeze on your credit reports and bring the issue to the attention of the credit bureaus and your creditors before much damage can be done.
Notify the Authorities
Stealing someone’s Social Security number is always illegal – whether that person is alive, deceased or not yet born. If you think your SSN has been stolen, the Social Security Administration recommends contacting the FTC at 1-877-438-4338 or filling out an online form at identitytheft.gov. To be safe, you may also want to report the problem to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Department of Justice, and/or your state attorney general.
For more tips on avoiding and dealing with stolen SSNs and other similar scams, check out WalletHub’s identity theft guide.
How to Rebuild Your Credit Without a CPN
Rebuilding your credit is not a quick fix. It may take several months or years, depending on your starting point and where you want to end up. The key is to add positive information to your credit report and avoid new mistakes. Below, we’ll go over the steps you should take to make that happen.
Pay Bills on Time
Your payment history affects your credit score more than anything else. When you consistently make on-time payments, you can cover up past mistakes and show lenders and creditors that you are a responsible borrower. Setting up autopay and creating payment reminders are some of the things you can do to ensure you are never late on your bills again.
Keep Your Credit Card Balances Low
Your credit utilization ratio is another big component of your credit score. Your credit utilization is the percentage of your credit limit you are using, and a high ratio signals to lenders that you have a hard time managing your debt. You should keep your credit utilization ratio below 30%, and the lower you can get it, the better it is for your credit.
Dispute Inaccurate & Fraudulent Information on Your Credit Report
Inaccurate and fraudulent negative information on your credit report can drag down your credit score. These items can include things such as an incorrect account balance, an on-time payment marked as late, or fraudulent accounts that you did not set up. That’s why it’s important to review your credit report regularly.
The sooner you can catch these errors, the sooner you can dispute them and limit the damage to your credit. On that note, you can check your daily-updated TransUnion credit report on WalletHub for free.
Limit Credit Inquiries
Every time you apply for credit, such as a new credit card or loan, you get a hard inquiry placed on your credit report, and your credit score drops by around five points temporarily. When you submit multiple applications within a short period of time, your credit score drops even further.
To prevent this from happening, limit how often you apply for credit, especially in the months leading up to something like a mortgage or auto loan application, when a low score could really cost you. For example, if you apply for a new credit card, it’s best to wait at least six months before you apply again.
Report Your Rent and Utility Bills to the Credit Bureaus
Having your on-time rent and utility payments reported to the credit bureaus can give your credit score a boost since it adds positive information to your credit report. Your rent and utility payments are not typically reported to the credit bureaus, so you will need to use a service like Experian Boost or Self’s Rent & Bills Reporting to do it.
For more information on improving your credit the right way, check out WalletHub’s guide on how to rebuild your credit.
WalletHub experts are widely quoted. Contact our media team to schedule an interview.