Got DUNS number without Net30 or Sec of State reporting

[Anonymous]

Hi all, the Biz Credit 101 sticky post suggests having your DUNS number automatically created via either Net30 accounts or (if you're lucky) when your Secretary of State reports to D&B.

I think I may have found a 3rd way (but please correct me if I'm completely mistaken): I opened a free account with Nav.com.  In there somewhere was a link to "Create your DUNS number" which I clicked.  Several days later an email from D&B arrives in my inbox (from: custserv@dnb.com) stating my DUNS number has been created, and even lists the number in the email.

Now... is this real?  Has anyone else here created a DUNS number in this way?

[Anonymous]

Is there a reason that you need a DUNS#?  Very little need for it any more and you certainly don't need it to create and maintain business credit.  The sticky thread while still giving some basic guidance is quite a bit outdated.  Depending on the nature of your business you can get plenty of business credit with just an EIN or in a lot of cases purely using your SSN as a sole proprietor.  Whatever you do, DOE spend any money with DUNS.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Is there a reason that you need a DUNS#?

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Verification purposes

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Is there a reason that you need a DUNS#?  Very little need for it any more and you certainly don't need it to create and maintain business credit.  The sticky thread while still giving some basic guidance is quite a bit outdated.  Depending on the nature of your business you can get plenty of business credit with just an EIN or in a lot of cases purely using your SSN as a sole proprietor.  Whatever you do, DOE spend any money with DUNS.

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Irish, 

is the DOE, supposed to be "DONT" ? 

If so I would agree. Dont buy anything D&B are trying to sell you. I have a DUNS but only becuase a couple of my vendors required it. And then you start getting either mailers or sales calls for D&B trying to sell you profile management services...as Irish stated, I think, dont buy anything from them, you dont need it. 

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Is there a reason that you need a DUNS#?  Very little need for it any more and you certainly don't need it to create and maintain business credit.  The sticky thread while still giving some basic guidance is quite a bit outdated.  Depending on the nature of your business you can get plenty of business credit with just an EIN or in a lot of cases purely using your SSN as a sole proprietor.  Whatever you do, DOE spend any money with DUNS.

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Irish, 

is the DOE, supposed to be "DONT" ? 

If so I would agree. Dont buy anything D&B are trying to sell you. I have a DUNS but only becuase a couple of my vendors required it. And then you start getting either mailers or sales calls for D&B trying to sell you profile management services...as Irish stated, I think, dont buy anything from them, you dont need it. 

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Yes, thanks for the correction.  I place blame on finger syndrome on my iPad 

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Is there a reason that you need a DUNS#?  Very little need for it any more and you certainly don't need it to create and maintain business credit.  The sticky thread while still giving some basic guidance is quite a bit outdated.  Depending on the nature of your business you can get plenty of business credit with just an EIN or in a lot of cases purely using your SSN as a sole proprietor.  Whatever you do, don't spend any money with DUNS.

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[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Is there a reason that you need a DUNS#?

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Verification purposes

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I ask this because I don't know, but verification of what exactly?

[Anonymous]

I think in the past, D&B was the defacto equivalent to the CRA's for Business. If another company wanted to verify you were a legitmate business or could pay your bills, they would verify your D&B number to ensure you were a real company and done business with other companies.

Since the early 2000's they have slowly but steadily lost relevance.

They also offer enhanced insights, analysis tools, and reports for a fee to businesses. 

Used to be, without a D&B you werent a real business, but now, you dont need one except where you want to do business with certain business in certain situations. (as in my case) 

To Irish's point, you dont need a DUNS to get business credit like credit cards and loans, but depending on larger deals, you may run into a situation where that DUNS field on that paper form might be required. (again, as in a few forms and agreements I have encountered) 

Funny enough, I'm pretty sure one my agreements (vendor) has never even verified the # because I typo-d it; I just realized it a few weeks ago while purging a file cabinet. That account/agreement has been in place since 2012... goes to show me how imperative it was to have it  /s/ 

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Is there a reason that you need a DUNS#?

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Verification purposes

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I ask this because I don't know, but verification of what exactly?

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Phone number, EIN, years in busines, employees, industry code, revenue

Ever notice how the above items are on applications?

Think about all the threads saying don't call Chase for fear of verification interrogation often asking the above questions.

A legitimate business that has been in business for any length of time will likely organically generate a D&B profile, but maybe not a paydex.

Ever wonder how some get instant approvals for business credit cards with higher 5 figure starting limits?

Ever wonder why some don't get verification phone calls?

The answers to those questions on the application match the answers on the readily available business credit reports (D&B,EQ,EX)

The automated underwriting computer and the manual underwriter have access to the information in your D&B report.

If the computer can legitimize you, it doesn't need to send the file to a human.

If the credit analyst can legitimize you quickly, they don't have to send you to verification.

Heck, anyone with decent google skills can legitimize a business with D&B.

This particular forum often caters towards individuals looking for cards that don't report to personal, but there is more out there.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Is there a reason that you need a DUNS#?

---

Verification purposes

---

I ask this because I don't know, but verification of what exactly?

---

Phone number, EIN, years in busines, employees, industry code, revenue

Ever notice how the above items are on applications?

Think about all the threads saying don't call Chase for fear of verification interrogation often asking the above questions.

A legitimate business that has been in business for any length of time will likely organically generate a D&B profile, but maybe not a paydex.

Ever wonder how some get instant approvals for business credit cards with higher 5 figure starting limits?

Ever wonder why some don't get verification phone calls?

The answers to those questions on the application match the answers on the readily available business credit reports (D&B,EQ,EX)

The automated underwriting computer and the manual underwriter have access to the information in your D&B report.

If the computer can legitimize you, it doesn't need to send the file to a human.

If the credit analyst can legitimize you quickly, they don't have to send you to verification.

Heck, anyone with decent google skills can legitimize a business with D&B.

This particular forum often caters towards individuals looking for cards that don't report to personal, but there is more out there.

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Thanks for the explanation.  Much appreciated. All that I have bolded has happened to me but I don't have a DUN# but I understand your opinion.  I also realize that what we discuss here typically is just a small part of the business credit world. I learn more stuff all the time.