In recent viral posts online, people have been bragging about their credit scores going up overnight and being quickly approved for apartments, loans, and credit cards. And it’s all because of a new type of social security number that’s really a scam.
Credit Privacy Numbers (CPNs) are nine-digit numbers that aren’t issued or recognized by the government or any financial institution. They’re fake or often stolen social security numbers that scammers try to sell to people, claiming that they will give them a squeaky clean credit history.
Companies selling these numbers often claim that CPNs are recognized by the Social Security Administration and that they can be used instead of a real social security number to apply for credit. This is false. Even worse, it’s illegal.
Someone caught using a CPN can get charged with fraud and identity theft. If convicted, that person can face a fine and/or prison time.
To avoid getting scammed by CPN sellers, never purchase a social security number. Also, if a company promises to fix your credit overnight by giving you a new social security number, it’s lying.