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If you're considering using Sezzle—the buy-now, pay-later service that splits purchases into installments—you're likely wondering whether the company will pull your credit report and how that might affect your credit score. The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
Sezzle does perform a credit check, but it's typically a soft inquiry rather than a hard inquiry. This distinction matters for your credit profile.
A soft inquiry is a background check that Sezzle uses to assess your creditworthiness and determine whether to approve your purchase request. Soft inquiries don't appear on your credit report and don't affect your credit score. They're visible only to you (in your own credit monitoring) and to Sezzle.
A hard inquiry, by contrast, is recorded on your credit report and can temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. Hard inquiries typically occur when you apply for a loan, credit card, or mortgage.
However, the type of inquiry Sezzle performs can vary depending on your circumstances. Some users report experiencing hard inquiries, particularly if they're approved for larger purchase amounts or if the company determines additional verification is necessary. The specific trigger for a hard versus soft inquiry isn't publicly detailed by Sezzle, which means your experience may differ from someone else's.
When you apply for Sezzle, the company typically evaluates:
Sezzle also accesses information through alternative data sources that don't rely solely on traditional credit bureaus. This approach allows people with limited credit history, no credit history, or lower credit scores to potentially qualify.
If Sezzle performs only a soft inquiry, your credit score remains unchanged. You'll see the inquiry in your personal credit file, but lenders won't see it.
If a hard inquiry occurs (less common but possible), you might see a small, temporary dip in your score—typically a few points. This impact fades over time, especially as you make on-time payments.
Making payments on time with Sezzle can actually help your credit if the company reports your account activity to credit bureaus. However, not all buy-now, pay-later services report to the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). If Sezzle doesn't report positive payment history, you won't get a credit-building benefit, but you also won't face negative consequences for on-time payments.
Conversely, missed or late payments may be reported and could damage your credit score, depending on whether Sezzle reports to the bureaus and whether they send the account to collections.
Sezzle's approval decision depends on factors beyond traditional credit scores:
| Factor | Role |
|---|---|
| Income level | Influences how much you can borrow |
| Payment method on file | Helps assess reliability |
| Purchase amount | Smaller first purchases may face fewer verification hurdles |
| Account age with Sezzle | Returning customers with good history are more likely approved |
| Email and phone verification | Used to confirm identity |
This means someone with a low credit score might still qualify for Sezzle, while someone with excellent credit might be declined if other signals (like insufficient income or unverified identity) raise concerns.
The right choice depends on your financial situation, credit history, and how you plan to use the service. If you're trying to build credit, traditional credit-building tools (like secured cards or credit-builder loans from credit unions) offer clearer paths to improvement than buy-now, pay-later services.
