Mel Feller Shows You How to Use Your EIN for Business Credit by Mel Feller Mel Feller knows that a nine-digit employment identification number is approximately to businesses what a Social Security number is to individuals. To use an EIN for credit, you will need to separate your business and personal financial dealings and establish credit for the business in its own right. When using an EIN in financial dealings, reputation counts, so your business must be trustworthy. A DUNS number, issued by Dun & Bradstreet, is sometimes required along with an EIN to establish certain credit relationships. Businesses may also be asked for a TIN, or taxpayer identification number.