The people who prey on ambitious young founders count on one thing: that nobody ever taught you what a scam looks like. Let’s fix that permanently.
The scams built to target you
If any of these show up in your DMs or a “funding coach’s” pitch, walk away:
- CPN / “credit privacy numbers” — a fake SSN sold as a fresh start. It’s identity fraud.
- “Guaranteed $50K, 0% forever” — no real lender guarantees an amount to a business they’ve never seen.
- Credit “sweeps” that erase real debt — disputing accurate items with false claims is fraud.
- Shelf corporations sold as instant funding — an aged empty company doesn’t make you fundable.
- Sovereign-citizen “redemption,” A4V, and 1099-OID schemes — presented as secret money hacks.
Why they’re not just risky — they’re illegal
CPNs, bogus 1099-OID filings, and “acceptance for value” schemes aren’t clever loopholes. They are federal crimes — bank fraud, wire fraud, identity theft. They can undo everything legitimate you’ve built and put you in real jeopardy. We never touch them, and we’ll always tell you the truth even when a scammer is telling you what you want to hear.
Protect what you build
Playing it straight isn’t just safer — it’s what actually lasts.
- Keep your business and personal money and liability separate.
- Put agreements in writing — a simple contract beats a handshake.
- Consider E&O / liability insurance once you’re serving clients.
- Guard your personal address and identity — don’t hand your SSN to strangers online.
Everything we teach is the real ladder — no gimmicks, no CPNs, no “tricks.” Build it real and it’s yours for good. That’s the whole point.