A CPN, or credit privacy number, is a nine-digit number that is formatted like a Social Security number (SSN) . It is marketed by companies that sell them as a way to hide a bad credit history or bankruptcy, and they claim that you can use the CPN instead of your SSN to apply for credit with your new credit identity. However, using a CPN to create a false identity is illegal and may be considered identity theft. CPNs are not issued by the federal government and have no official legal standing. They operate in a legal gray area, and using a CPN to apply for credit constitutes fraud. CPNs are often tied to criminal activity, and fraudulent credit repair companies will falsely promote CPNs as a way to improve your credit.

CPNs are different from SSNs and Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) . SSNs are issued by the Social Security Administration and are what most people use when filing taxes. ITINs are issued by the IRS under special circumstances for some non-resident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who cant get SSNs.

In summary, a CPN is not a substitute for an SSN, and using it to create a false identity is illegal and may be considered identity theft. It is important to be cautious of companies offering quick fixes or fraudulent CPNs, and to repair your credit without a CPN.