A reinvestigation is the investigation a credit bureau must do, free, when you dispute something in your file. It generally has 30 days to check with the company that reported it, consider your evidence, and correct or delete anything inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable, then send you the results in writing.
Also called: dispute investigation, credit dispute investigation, reasonable reinvestigation, bureau investigation
What it means
“Reinvestigation” is the FCRA’s word for a credit bureau’s investigation of your dispute. The CFPB’s 2012 report defines it as an investigation by a bureau or a furnisher into whether disputed information is accurate or complete.
Where it comes from
15 U.S.C. § 1681i sets the rules. When you dispute an item directly with a bureau, it must:
- conduct a reasonable reinvestigation for free, and finish within 30 days (up to 15 more days if you send new information during that time),
- notify the company that reported the item within five business days, with all relevant information about your dispute,
- review and consider all relevant information you submit,
- promptly delete or correct anything it finds inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable, and
- send you written results within five business days after finishing.
A deleted item can’t come back unless the furnisher certifies it is accurate, and the bureau must tell you in writing within five business days if it does. The furnisher has its own duty to investigate when the bureau notifies it, under § 1681s-2(b).
The FTC’s 2011 staff report says a reasonable investigation means a good-faith effort, and that depending on the dispute, more may be needed than asking the source the same question and getting the same answer. It also says you don’t have to order your report or be denied credit before you can dispute.
Common problems
- The bureau sends a code instead of your evidence. See e-OSCAR and ACDV.
- The result says “verified” with no explanation.
- The bureau calls the dispute frivolous without a good reason.
- A deleted item reappears without notice.
How to dispute it
Dispute in writing, keep copies, and send proof. Be specific about what is wrong and what it should say. Mark your calendar for 30 days. When the results arrive, check every bureau. If an item was verified, ask for the method of verification, and if the dispute isn’t resolved, you can add a statement of dispute.
When it can be an FCRA violation
A bureau that does not conduct a reasonable reinvestigation, misses the deadlines, ignores your evidence, or reinserts deleted information without following the rules may violate § 1681i. Consumers can bring their own lawsuit for these violations under the FCRA’s civil liability sections, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681n and 1681o.
If a bureau’s reinvestigation left a clear error on your report, FCRA Attorneys offers a free case review, and you pay no fee unless we win.
Related
- e-OSCAR
- ACDV (automated consumer dispute verification)
- Method of verification
- Frivolous or irrelevant dispute
- Statement of dispute (consumer statement)
- Direct dispute
- Furnisher
- How to Dispute Credit Report Errors With Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
- How to Write a Credit Report Dispute Letter That Gets Investigated
- How to Dispute Experian: Dispute Address, Phone, Deadlines and Your Rights
- How to Dispute Equifax: Dispute Address, Phone, Deadlines and Your Rights
- How to Dispute TransUnion: Dispute Address, Phone, Deadlines and Your Rights
- Dispute letter builder
Sources
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681i, procedure in case of disputed accuracy (Cornell LII)
- FTC, 40 Years of Experience with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (2011)
- CFPB, Key Dimensions and Processes in the U.S. Credit Reporting System (2012)
- FTC, Disputing Errors on Your Credit Reports
Updated November 2026. This glossary is written by FCRA Attorneys from public sources. It is general information, not legal advice, and is not affiliated with any credit bureau or industry association.