A CPN, or credit privacy number, is a nine-digit number that is formatted like a Social Security number (SSN) and marketed as a way to hide a bad credit history or bankruptcy. Companies that sell CPNs to consumers claim that they can use the CPN instead of their SSN to apply for credit with a new credit identity. However, CPNs are illegal and often part of credit repair scams. They are often actual SSNs lifted from real people, including children, prison inmates, and the deceased, and using a CPN on a loan application is considered fraud and punishable by jail time. CPNs are not a legitimate way to repair credit, and credit reports will still show any debts and bankruptcies. It is important to be cautious of companies offering quick fixes or fraudulent CPNs, and people looking to repair their credit should seek legitimate ways to do so.