are cpns legal

02 Apr 2019

Yes, you can go to jail if you use a CPN (or Credit Profile Number).

Updated July 23, 2021:

CPNs, or “credit profile numbers,” or “credit privacy numbers,” are illegal. A Department of Justice press release read: “Oklahoma City Man Receives 18 Months in Prison for Use of Credit Profile Numbers.”

What is a CPN?

CPN is an abbreviation for “credit profile number.” A credit profile number is a secondary number used to commit fraud. In reality, a CPN is someone else’s social security number; thus, the use of a CPN is aggravated identity theft.

However, many consumers believe (because that’s what they are told) that CPNs are a viable option for credit enhancement. The pitch goes like this: Leave your bad credit behind; start a new credit file for financial freedom.

The problem?

CPNs are illegal.

Some companies have been warning against CPNs since at least 2013. More recently, we read an article with nearly 3,000 words on CPNs, alone, which you should really read. That article dives deep into the laws surrounding so-called CPNs and how the concept originated.

Here’s proof (which you can read here or below) from the Department of Justice.

You can go to jail for using a CPN.

Oklahoma City Man Receives 18 Months in Prison for Use of Credit Profile Numbers

CPNs aren’t debatable.

While the debate is a good thing, because it keeps our minds sharp, there is no debate when it comes to the legality of the CPN. Those who advocate for CPNs (whether they know they’re breaking the law or not) very aggressively attempt to convince potential victims that CPNs are perfectly legal and that those who disagree are incorrect.

The defendant in the above-referenced case probably made those same arguments.

All you need to know is this: The federal government will prosecute you for using a CPN.

Alternatives to CPNs.

There’s some good news. First, it’s very easy to avoid CPNs. All you have to do is stop working with anyone who suggests you should create a new social security number to avoid the problems with your current social security number. Simple!

Now, what do you do with your negative credit history? After all, that’s the only reason someone who would be interested in a “fresh start.”

There’s quite a lot you can do.

There is:

  • credit repair
  • debt negotiation
  • debt settlement
  • different forms of bankruptcy
  • add tradelines

In other words, you’re not without options.

In fact, with all the consumer protection laws on the books and companies (like credit repair companies) that have commercialized them, you have plenty of options.

So how do you stay safe?

Credit repair has a negative stigma, but there are a lot of great companies out there! Many of them are very focused on consumer protection and compliance with all the legislature

Remember this:

No matter how bad your credit is, remember two things:

  1. All credit problems can be solved.
  2. CPNs solves nothing and expose you to legal consequences.

16 thoughts on “Yes, you can go to jail if you use a CPN (or Credit Profile Number).”

  1. What would happen if I give my landlord my 30 day notice (breaking lease due to domestic violence issue) and i used a CPN on the application?

  2. Tradelines are the lines of credit reporting on your credit report, your credit card, home loan, auto loan, or student loans are all considered tradelines. This is how it works, we add (AU) Authorized User Tradelines to your credit report to increase the credit score, add credit stability, decrease debt to ratio and most importantly to make you creditworthy.

      1. No. They are illegal because he used stolen socials. They are perfectly legal and its accordance to the FBI website. Using stolen SSNs is a whole ‘nother crime in itself.

  3. But why would you stop lying about CPN been illegal Right?

    Listen con artist I got a question for you, if CPN is illegal. Do you not think that the way that you make use of tradelines by selling them are also illegal Right?

    Perhaps you never thought about that Right?

    1. Good Morning Valter,

      I hope you’re having an awesome day.

      You seem very passionate about your question so I’m excited to answer it for you.

      The short answer:

      The law (listed here in detail, explained here, and argued about here) makes cpn’s illegal and the federal government prosecute people (example above) for them. The law (listed and explained here) makes tradelines legal in the federal government doesn’t prosecute people for them.

      In other words, yes, we thought about it and have written over 100,000 words on the matter, answered 1282 questions in our blogs, sought legal counsel, participated in conventions and spoke on the matter. Given that, if you have any other questions, I’ll be happy to answer.

      I also agree that people who tell you cpn’s are legal are con artists. And, people who tell you not to engage in illegal activity are not con artists.

  4. This is completely bullshit of course more fear tactics used by the Internet to keep the people down 1974 privacy act states you should read it FBI website states CPN’s are completely legal this article is bullshit what is the difference between a social and a CPN. A Social Security number is LEXIS-NEXIS approved safe scan approved check systems approved and monitored by all three credit bureau’s and his registered with the IRS and the treasury. CPN is LEXIS-NEXIS approve safe scan approved check systems approved registered with all three credit bureau’s and registered to the IRS as a partnership with your all capital letter name is the DBA and you’re doing business as a 9 digit number. So tell me so called article what is the difference? Those that know no those that don’t know don’t know. A Social Security number is a contract that you have to sign that allows you to do business what do you think of CPN is the only differences you’re not with the government to be tracked like an animal. Fuck all of you!

    1. The difference is that you’ll get arrested for using a CPN. See the article above. Your argument is with the federal government, not us.

    2. You might want to check out our CPN article which is about 5000 words on the topic.

      My second suggestion is that you take your obvious passion and run for office and get the laws changed. In the article referenced above, there is some chatter in Congressional testimony about making what you’re describing legal.

  5. What I love is NOBODY debating this topic on either side read the charges the feds levied against this man who used CPNs HOWEVER I’m SURE they spend 1000X amount of time writing and crafting their arguments.

    The charges clearly state the so called CPNs were STOLEN SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS FROM CHILDREN. A stolen SSN from children and dead people is not a CPN. You can register a CPN online for a nominal fee. The Feds just decided to call a stolen SSN in their brief but ultimately they aren’t.

    Dude was just committing fraud.

    1. I read them.

      I also wrote nearly 5,000 words on the topic with hundreds of citations.

      Please read: https://superiortradelines.com/cpn/

      The reason they called the child’s social security number a “so-called” CPN is that there’s no such thing as a CPN.

      As I point out in the article linked-to above, there is an application for every number Under the Sun including EINs, TINs, SSNs, etc. Show me one for a CPN. You can’t. You can’t because CPNs don’t exist. They’re always fraud.

      Show me where you can get a CPN and I’ll show you where they’re committing fraud.

      I will happily hop on the phone with you and the local FBI field office and ask them if your source for a CPN is legitimate and not fraud.

      Deal?

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