What Credit Bureau Does Lowe's Use?

Lowe's primarily pulls your credit file from Experian, so the 'Lowe's bureau' is usually Experian, though on rare occasions they may check another bureau for special promotions; for a standard store‑card or financing application, expect a soft (or hard, depending on the product) pull from Experian, as confirmed by Experian's own press release.

Lowe's bureau is primarily Experian, so when you apply for a loan or card the company pulls your Experian file.

Lowe's picks Experian because it offers the most comprehensive consumer data, delivers rapid soft‑pull results, and aligns with the credit‑reporting standards used by most big‑box retailers. That consistency lets you easily obtain your free Experian report before Lowe's runs its check, a step we'll cover in the next section.

Lowe's may pull data from Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax, so obtain a free report from each (as we covered above).

1. Visit the Federal Trade Commission's portal at Free credit reports from all three bureaus.
2. Pick Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax one after another; verify identity with Social Security number and birthdate.
3. Opt for the instant‑online PDF or request a mailed copy if preferred.
4. Store the documents safely; cross‑check the entries against what Lowe's might review.
5. Identify any errors and begin a dispute before submitting a Lowe's financing application.

Boost your score before Experian pulls for Lowe's by tightening the most impactful credit factors.

• Slash credit‑card balances to under 30 % of each limit; lower utilization flips scores fast (Understanding credit‑utilization ratios).
• Freeze new hard inquiries for the next 30 days; each fresh pull drags the number down.
• Dispute any inaccurate marks directly with Experian; clean records restore lost points.
• Keep long‑standing accounts open even if unused; age of credit bolsters the profile.
• Add a well‑managed authorized user; the positive history rides along to the file.

Lowe's bureau typically relies on Experian for its soft‑pull inquiries, meaning the check registers on the credit file without lowering the score. A soft pull simply verifies identity and existing credit standing; it does not trigger the hard‑inquiry flag that lenders use to assess risk.

Examples include the pre‑approval step for the Lowe's credit card, where entering a Social Security number cues Experian to pull a soft report and instantly returns an eligibility decision. The same process powers promotional financing offers displayed on the checkout page and the online 'check my credit' tool. Because the inquiry stays invisible to future lenders, it won't affect borrowing power elsewhere. (Source: Experian explains soft‑pull credit checks)

Lowe's bureau is primarily Experian, while Home Depot's bureau is primarily TransUnion.

Lowe's pulls a soft‑pull from Experian for most financing offers; the check is quick, does not affect your score, and is the same source mentioned earlier when we discussed how Lowe's gathers credit data.

Home Depot, on the other hand, relies on TransUnion for its credit pulls; this bureau provides the scores that determine eligibility for Home Depot credit cards and financing, and it is the source cited in industry reports on the retailer's credit practices.

For further reading, see Lowe's use of Experian and Home Depot's use of TransUnion.

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• Verify which bureau Lowe's will query (typically Experian) by pulling a free report from AnnualCreditReport.com, as we covered above.
• Dispute any inaccuracies on the Experian file before applying; corrected data can lift the score within days.
• Reduce credit‑card balances to keep overall utilization below 30 %; lower utilization signals lower risk.
• Hold off on new hard inquiries for at least 30 days; fresh applications temporarily drag the score.
• Keep personal information consistent across all accounts; mismatched addresses trigger manual reviews.
• Add a seasoned authorized user to an existing card if the primary's history is strong; the extra line boosts average credit age.
• Confirm that all existing loans are current; a single missed payment outweighs a high score.

The moment Lowe's denies you, request a copy of the report from the Lowe's bureau and look for any mistake.

1. Obtain the report - Log into AnnualCreditReport.com and download the file from the bureau Lowe's used (typically Experian).
2. Spot the error - Scan for wrong balances, mis‑dated accounts, or duplicated entries that could have lowered your score.
3. File the dispute - Submit an online dispute on the bureau's website or mail a certified‑letter stating the inaccuracy, the correct information, and attach supporting documents (e.g., statements, letters).
4. Include a clear ID - Provide your full name, address, Social Security number (last four digits), and the account number referenced in the denial.
5. Wait for investigation - The bureau must investigate within 30 days and send you a results letter; they'll also update any corrected data.
6. Check the updated report - Review the revised file; if the error is fixed, your score should improve.
7. Re‑apply to Lowe's - With the corrected report, submit a new application; the same bureau will now reflect the accurate information.

Act fast - disputes expire after 90 days, and the sooner the correction, the sooner you can get that Lowe's credit line approved.

Lowe's bureau for business accounts is typically Dun & Bradstreet, not the Experian pull used for personal credit checks. When you apply for a Lowe's business credit card or a trade account, the retailer queries your D&B D‑U‑N‑S number and evaluates the corresponding D&B rating (formerly PAYDEX). This separate bureau lets Lowe's assess the creditworthiness of a legal entity rather than an individual's Social Security‑based score.

Because the business credit source differs, you can view the exact rating by requesting a free D&B report at Dun & Bradstreet's official site. A strong D&B score (80 + on the 1‑100 scale) smooths approval, while a low rating may trigger a manual review or denial, even if your personal Experian score is excellent. Knowing which bureau is used lets you focus improvement efforts where they matter most before Lowe's runs its check.

Lowe's will reject an application if your credit file is frozen, so you must temporarily lift the freeze or provide an alternate verification method.

• Call the bureau that Lowe's uses (typically Experian) and request a 'temporary lift' for the next 48 hours; most agencies process the request in under five minutes and charge nothing.
• Use the online 'freeze lift' portal; select the exact dates you plan to shop at Lowe's and confirm the lift before submitting the application.
• If you can't lift the freeze in time, request a 'hard inquiry waiver' from Lowe's customer service and supply a recent utility‑bill or bank statement to prove identity while the freeze remains.
• Open a secondary credit line (e.g., a store card from another retailer) that isn't frozen; Lowe's often accepts the secondary score for a quick pre‑approval.
• For business purchases, apply through Lowe's business account which checks a separate commercial bureau, bypassing the personal freeze.

Temporarily unfreezing your file is the most reliable workaround, and once Lowe's pulls the report you can refreeze immediately to keep your credit safe. How to freeze and unfreeze credit quickly