How To Avoid A Credit Privacy Number Scam?

 

 

When you get a credit card, you generally receive your credit card number and expiration date via mail 

or online, and you can use the number to make purchases until your physical card arrives in the mail. 

But there’s another type of number called a CPN Tradelines that you should never give out to anyone 

who asks for it over the phone or online. This article will discuss what a CPN Tradelines number is and 

how to spot these scam artists when they come calling on your wallet.

Why should you never share your SSN? 

When someone uses your SSN without your permission, it hurts you in two ways. First, identity thieves 

will open accounts and change your name – meaning you’ll be dealing with debt collectors for years. 

Second, it lowers your credit score, making everything from getting loans to buying a home more difficult.

So how do you protect yourself? Make sure all of your authorized user tradelines are removed before 

you turn 18 (and even better, before they’re added). This way, if anyone tries to use them after you 

remove them (because they still show up on your credit report), they won’t be able to access any new 

accounts because those names aren’t on file.

Simple tips on how to protect yourself

Limit your use of authorized user tradelines: If you are using an authorized user tradeline on one 

or more of your credit accounts, be aware that those tradelines are generally free to add and remove 

from accounts. Also, know that it’s not difficult for any party with access to your credit report to add 

additional negative tradelines to your report.

 The easiest way to remove unwanted authorized user tradelines is by closing any accounts you were 

added as an authorized user. Closing those accounts will automatically terminate your name from any 

authorized user tradelines. However, be aware that sometimes it can take time for negative tradelines to 

get removed from your report, depending on how long ago they were added and what type of tradeline 

they are.

How can you check if someone got access to your information?

To find out whether you have been put on a CPN (credit profile number) list. You will need your 

social security number and last name for verification, but don’t share these with untrusted third parties. 

Rather, look up sites like Equifax, which list companies that you can be placed in an optional list. If 

someone accesses your information, they will run it against Equifax before trying CPN Tradelines or 

another service.

What do you do when someone steals your identity?

First, report it to local law enforcement. Then call one of the three major credit bureaus and place an 

initial fraud alert on your file. Third, visit IdentityTheft.gov and follow its step-by-step instructions. Finally, 

set up a fraud alert or security freeze at all three bureaus. Even with an active fraud alert or security 

freeze in place, you should continue monitoring your credit reports for evidence of new account openings.

Conclusion

There are many identity theft scams in existence, and all of them can be difficult to identify at first. That’s 

why you, your family, and your friends need to understand what these fraudsters are trying to do and 

how they might pull it off. Having up-to-date information and knowledge on CPN Tradelines will help 

prepare you for any potential threat that comes your way.