What Credit Bureau Does Target Use?

Target checks your Equifax report most of the time, because every standard Target RedCard or Target Credit Card application automatically pulls the Equifax credit file; only in occasional situations - such as a specialized financing offer or a state‑mandated exception - does Target query TransUnion or Experian, as noted in Target's credit bureau policy.

Target favors Equifax because it's the bureau most often used for its credit checks.

• Equifax's scoring algorithm aligns closely with Target's risk model, so approvals stay consistent across stores.
• The long‑standing data‑exchange partnership lets Target pull credit instantly, cutting processing time and cost.
• Many state‑level agreements and retailer contracts default to Equifax, so Target's default choice follows those legal requirements.

Yes, Target can pull a TransUnion report, but it happens only in limited cases.

Target checks Equifax for the overwhelming majority of applications; a TransUnion pull typically occurs when you apply for a RedCard, when Equifax returns insufficient data, or in a few states where lenders are required to use multiple bureaus. In those moments Target adds a soft or hard TransUnion inquiry to verify credit eligibility. For a full breakdown of Target's bureau usage, see Target's credit bureau policy explained.

Target mostly checks Equifax, but you'll see Experian if any of these triggers occur:

• You apply for a Target RedCard (or Target Charge) in a state where Target's underwriting partners rely on Experian data.
• You use the Target Credit Builder loan; the financing program defaults to Experian for its soft pull.
• You sign up for a promotional 'Buy Now, Pay Later' offer that requires a separate Experian check.
• Equifax cannot verify your SSN or address, so Target falls back to Experian to complete the pull.
• You request a credit limit increase and the system flags your profile for a secondary Experian review.

These moments explain why Experian sometimes appears in your credit report after interacting with Target.

Target runs your credit most often at the moment you apply for a RedCard, performing a hard pull from Equifax. After that, Target generally switches to soft pulls that do not affect your score.

Soft pulls appear roughly once a year for routine account reviews, whenever you request a credit‑limit increase, or when you are offered a promotional financing plan. These checks are brief and invisible to credit‑scoring models.

In rare cases Target may query TransUnion for a special promotion or Experian in a few states, but the standard cadence stays: one hard pull up front, followed by occasional soft pulls as needed.

RedCard checks Experian credit checks most often, issuing a hard inquiry when you apply. Only in rare cases does the system fall back to another bureau, and those instances lack public documentation. Because the store card ties directly to Target's loyalty database, the Experian pull usually occurs within minutes of submitting the online form.

Target Charge also leans on Experian for its credit pull, treating the Visa or Mastercard application like any other consumer loan. Unlike the store card, the charge card never switches to Equifax or TransUnion as a default, keeping the source consistent nationwide. If you already know your Experian score, a quick free check can give you a realistic chance of approval before you hit 'apply.'

Target checks Equifax most often, so pulling a free Equifax report before you submit a Target application gives you a clean snapshot of the data the retailer will see.

1. Visit Annual Credit Report website and request your free Equifax file; you can also use Equifax's own free‑credit page.
2. Download the PDF or save the online view; keep it handy for the application screen.
3. Scan the report for errors - incorrect balances, wrong personal info, or outdated accounts. Dispute any mistakes directly with Equifax before applying.
4. Note the 'hard inquiry' indicator; a recent free pull does not affect your score, but it shows you understand the numbers Target will review.
5. When the Target RedCard or Charge account form asks for a credit‑bureau check, confirm you're ready with the Equifax report and submit the application.

Target's credit check leans on Equifax, so a quick boost there can turn a 'no' into a 'yes.'

• Pay down any high‑balance cards; lower utilization drops instantly on the next Equifax refresh (usually within 30 days).
• Dispute any inaccurate items on your free Equifax report; corrected entries can appear in as little as 10 business days.
• Add a trusted friend or family member as an authorized user on a well‑managed account; the new line shows up on Equifax within a billing cycle.
• Open a small credit‑builder loan or a secured credit card that reports to Equifax; the positive payment history adds after the first month.
• Ensure your personal information (address, employer) matches exactly what Equifax has; mismatches can delay or lower your score.

These actions give Equifax fresh, positive data fast enough for Target's next credit pull.

If you've already applied and were denied, grab your free Equifax report now and start the above steps before re‑applying.

Target denied you? Look at your Equifax credit file first, because Target most often bases its approval on that bureau. A low score, a recent hard inquiry, or a reporting error on Equifax can trigger the denial even when your TransUnion or Experian reports look clean.

Get your free Equifax credit reportfrom Equifax's official site, review payment history, credit utilization, and any disputed items. Correct errors, pay down balances, and wait a month before re‑applying. The next section shows how pulling a free Equifax report can improve your chances before the next Target application.

Target doesn't swap credit bureaus based on where you live; the company generally pulls the report from Experian regardless of state. That single‑source approach keeps the application process uniform across the country.

A few applicants notice a TransUnion or Equifax file after an initial Experian pull fails, but the switch is data‑driven, not geography‑driven. The occasional fallback isn't tied to California, Texas, Florida or New York - those state‑by‑state myths lack any public evidence. As we covered above, Experian remains the primary source for Target's credit checks.