You’ve sent your dispute to the credit bureau regarding a mistake on your credit report, requesting removal or correction. If it has been longer than 30 days since you submitted your dispute & you still haven’t received a response or had your error resolved, this is a potential violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
What It Means If The Credit Bureaus Don’t Respond Within 30 Days?
Most often, an “ignored” dispute is an unintentional error on the bureau’s part.
You shouldn't assume it is intentional or malicious. The credit bureau(s) receive thousands of disputes each month and yours simply could have been lost in the mix.
Also, keep in mind the deadline is 30 days from the day they confirm receipt of your letter, which is why you need to send it by certified mail.
What Are Your Rights Under The FCRA?
Under the FCRA, you have rights to a fair dispute within a reasonable timeframe. Your rights include:
- Within 30 days after receiving your dispute, the credit bureau is responsible to resolve your dispute (Some exceptions allow for 45 days, but 30 days is the most common timeframe).
- If they don’t respond and/or correct your report after a reasonable timeframe (30-45 days maximum), it’s a violation of the FCRA.
What To Do If The Credit Bureaus Don’t Respond Within 30 Days?
If it’s been 30 days and you have no resolution for your dispute, don’t give up. There are still steps you can take.
Write a Follow-Up Letter
If day 30 has come and gone, and you have not heard back about your dispute, write a follow-up letter.
If you are sending your follow-up letter via mail (which is recommended), ensure it’s sent with certified mail so you can track and confirm its arrival.
Above all, never forget that you are writing a letter to a real person. Citing legal codes is not needed, and neither are threats, such as contacting the FTC. Being hostile and mean will not work in your favor. Instead, stay neutral and level-headed.
- Be sure to send a letter to each of the bureaus that failed to respond.
- Once the follow-up is sent, wait for a response.
- Most often, the bureau will respond with an apology and rectify your dispute quickly.
However, if you get a negative response, you might need to send more messages and documents to prove your dispute's merit.
Hire an attorney
Dealing with credit bureaus can be frustrating & take up a lot of your time. If you're overwhelmed or want professional help to ensure the best possible outcome, consider hiring an attorney or professional credit repair firm.
Bottom Line
Waiting for the resolution of an overdue credit dispute can be frustrating and cause anxiety. However, by sending a timely follow-up, keeping good track of your paper trail, and appointing legal help when warranted, you can stay ahead of the issue.
