The 30-Day Investigation Window

Once a bureau receives your dispute, the FCRA's clock starts: it generally has 30 days to investigate with the furnisher and mail you the results. The window extends to 45 days in a few cases, such as disputes after a free annual report or when you add information mid-investigation.

Why it matters

The deadline is what makes a dispute more than a letter into the void. If the furnisher cannot verify the item inside the window, it must come off. Calendar discipline turns this right into results.

Key facts

• The bureau forwards your dispute to the furnisher, which must investigate and report back.
• Verified items stay; unverifiable or unresponsive items are deleted.
• You receive written results and a free updated report if anything changed.
• Re-filing the same dispute with no new evidence can be treated as frivolous.
• If the outcome is wrong, you can add a 100-word consumer statement, escalate to the CFPB, or consult an attorney.

In practice

1. Mark each dispute's filing date and deadline in one place.
2. If a deletion arrives, save the results letter permanently; reinserted items require notice to you.
3. No response by day 30? File a CFPB complaint with your dates and receipts.