A D-U-N-S number is a nine-digit identification number unique to your own business. D-U-N-S stands for Data Universal Numbering System. It was developed by the business credit information company Dun and Bradstreet to distinguish companies for maintaining their credit-related information. Having a D-U-N-S number is essential for building business credit, since D&B is the foremost place that lenders go to determine a company's credit standing before extending credit. Obtaining a D-U-N-S number is absolutely free.
Get the number online, as an alternative, by going to DnB.com and clicking on the D-U-N-S tab. It may take up to 30 days to get the number this way, though.
Request a D-U-N-S number while on the phone with D&B. If you get stuck with an aggressive salesperson, he may insist that you have to buy their product Credit Builder for about $300 to get the D-U-N-S number. This is not true. To ensure getting the number without an aggressive solicitation, merely inform the salesperson that you need the number because you will be applying for a federal grant or federal contract. Otherwise, politely decline. If the salesperson says that the company won't be "validated" if you don't buy their product, politely tell them that is incorrect, and there is no reason they can't give it to you immediately.
Call back in a month to verify that the number has been established, if you haven't received a number yet. They can be slow. Some customers have called to complain and gotten the number immediately over the phone.
Contact Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) if you are not sure whether your company has a D-U-N-S number yet. The number to contact is 866-705-5711. It is possible that one already exists as a result of a creditor asking D&B about your company's credit record. This may happen, for example, if you apply for credit to a vendor that regularly reports to D&B.
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