In a word: Yes. That’s not our opinion, though. That’s the opinion, rather, it’s the opinion of the Office of the Inspector General of the Internal Revenue Service:

“The proliferation of Credit Privacy Numbers (CPNs) is a relatively new SSN misuse scheme and a threat to the security of child identity information. CPNs are nine-digit numbers that resemble the SSN or the IRS-provided Individual Tax Identification Number or Employer Identification Number, but CPNs are a means of misusing the SSN and possibly committing identity theft.

Numerous unscrupulous agencies and organizations are providing CPNs—also known as Credit Profile Numbers and Credit Protection Numbers—for a fee, as a method of creating a new, separate credit file for individuals with low credit scores, bankruptcy, and slow or late payments on their current credit record. Websites offering CPNs advertise a new credit file with the use of a CPN, at costs ranging from about $40 to as much as $3,500. Despite what many of these credit repair Websites imply, consumers should know that CPNs are not legal.

18 U.S.C. § § 1001, 1010 (HUD and Federal Housing Administration Transactions), 1014 (Loan and credit applications generally), 1028 (Fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents), 1341 (Frauds and swindles by Mail), 1342 (Fictitious name or address), 1343 (Fraud by wire), 1344 (Bank Fraud) and finally 42 U.S.C. § 408(a) (false social security number).

…among others.

Technically, yes, you can add tradelines to CPNs. However, we will not add tradelines to CPNs, because this will jeopardize our inventory of tradelines. Secondly, we will not support such a short-term goal, as your CPN and SSN will be merged. There is no point in putting tradelines on CPNs.

No, CPNs are not a legitimate way to repair or increase your credit standing. First of all, your CPN and your SSN is going to be merged at some point; it’s not a matter of if, it is a matter of when. Secondly, once your CPN gets merged with your SSN, you are back where you started. Third, when your CPN gets merged with your SSN, fraud alerts will appear on your credit report and may result in the closure of acquired credit and prevention of new credit.

We are not giving legal advice, but the law companies rely upon to suggest that CPNs are legal, DO NOT provide for a process as suggested by the companies. Specifically, they rely upon the Privacy Act of 1974, which provides “It shall be unlawful for any Federal, State or local government agency to deny to any individual any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law because of such individual’s refusal to disclose his social security account number.” 5 U.S.C. § 552, Sec. 7(a)(1). However, can you tell me where it says you can create a new number? It says “you don’t have to give your number” not, “you can create another number”.

First, don’t use. Second, leave it alone and it will eventually get merged with your legitimate social security number (which, by the way, is another reason not to get CPNs even if they “worked”). Finally, you have a damaged credit file, which is why you sought a CPN in the first place. So, you need to address the damaged credit file. There are credit repair companies, there are debt settlement companies, etc., and you can do these services yourself, if you wish. Then, once you’re back on your feet, you can add tradelines to increase your credit score.