I understand that it will allow me to get new credit identification by using a new social security number. Skin shedding creates a new credit identity. Two systems are commonly used: One way is to change social security numbers. For instance, one may find the name of a child with a similar birthday or someone who died 10-20 years earlier. By using that child’s social security number, you have a new identity. The government issues notices of cancelled social security numbers to credit bureaus when a person dies. However, this system is extremely inefficient because it relies on reporting from funeral homes, benefits paid to survivors, closed bank accounts, and returned mail. Even if you succeed in having the Social Security Administration assign you a new social security number (usually because of a religious objection), the credit bureaus’ computers may still link you to your old number. A new social security number will then not give you a new identity.

But keep in mind that fraudulently using someone else’s social security number violates the Social Security Act, and the Justice Department will prosecute. The penalty is up to 5 years in prison or a fine of $50,000, or both.

A second tactic feeds false information. Here one contacts the credit bureau where they have a negative report and advises them that there is incorrect information in the consumer identification section. Perhaps they claim that the name or social security number is incorrect. They then supply new ‘correct’ information which is actually false. The credit bureau then “corrects” the file. Several weeks later the individual contacts the credit bureau to request a credit report. They then inform the credit bureau that none of the information is correct, and that the report must belong to someone else with the same name. The credit bureau must verify this information. Since the information they will attempt to verify has nothing to do with the applicant, it cannot be verified and the entire credit file is then deleted. Finally, these same individuals wait several more months to again contact the credit bureau using their correct name, social security number, etc. and instruct them to re-correct the information. This returns them to their original credit report which shows a clear credit history. The bureau has inadvertently made their entire original credit report unverifiable, and effectively wiped it clean to produce a new credit history.

There are many other illegal scams to repair credit. Follow only sound, legal credit repair practices to achieve your goals. Don’t risk committing a crime.