Over the past year, we have seen a sharp increase in fraudulent rental applications across the country, and North Carolina is no exception. One of the most concerning trends is the use of CPNs (Credit Privacy Numbers).
A CPN is often marketed online as a way for individuals to obtain a “fresh credit profile.” In reality, many of these numbers are either stolen Social Security numbers or fabricated identities used to hide poor credit history, evictions, collections, or criminal background.
These numbers are commonly sold online with promises like:
• “Start with a new credit identity”
• “Hide bad credit or evictions”
• “Rent apartments with no background checks”
For landlords, this creates significant risk. A tenant using a CPN may appear to have little or no credit history, when in fact they may be attempting to conceal a long record of unpaid rent, evictions, or financial issues.
At MKM Property Management, we take this threat seriously and have implemented additional screening measures to help protect our owners.
| Here are a few key steps landlords should always take: |
| 1. Require in-person showings whenever possible Applicants who refuse to see the property in person can be a red flag. 2. Verify identity carefully Always ensure the ID matches the application information and the credit profile. 3. Verify income directly with employers Fraudulent pay stubs and manipulated documents are becoming increasingly common. 4. Wait for funds to fully clear before releasing keys Wire fraud and fake payment confirmations have also increased. 5. Trust the screening process If something feels off during the application process, it often is. |