Within 5 business days after finishing its reinvestigation, the bureau must send written results, a free updated report if anything changed, and notice of your rights to request the verification method, add a statement, and have corrections sent to recent report users.
The results notice
Under 15 U.S.C. § 1681i(a)(6)(A), a credit bureau must give you written notice of the results of a reinvestigation no later than 5 business days after completing it. The notice may be sent by mail or, if you authorized it, by other means, such as through your online account.
Under § 1681i(a)(6)(B), the notice must include:
- a statement that the reinvestigation is completed;
- a consumer report based on your file as revised by the reinvestigation;
- a notice that, if you request it, the bureau will provide a description of the procedure used to determine accuracy, including the furnisher’s business name and address and, if reasonably available, phone number;
- a notice that you have the right to add a statement to your file disputing the accuracy or completeness of the information; and
- a notice that you have the right to request that the bureau send notice of any deletion or statement to certain past recipients of your report.
The FTC notes that if the dispute changes your report, the updated copy is free and does not count as your annual free report.
Sending corrections to past recipients
On your request, the bureau must notify anyone you designate who received your report within the past 2 years for employment or 6 months for any other purpose of the deletion or your statement (§ 1681i(d)).
Expedited deletions
If the bureau deletes the item within 3 business days of receiving your dispute, it may use an expedited process. It must still promptly notify you of the deletion by telephone, tell you of your right to request notices to past recipients, and send written confirmation and a copy of your report within 5 business days (§ 1681i(a)(8)).
What to do with the results
- Compare the new report with the old one item by item.
- Save the results letter; it may be needed later.
- If an item was “verified,” consider requesting the method of verification and disputing again with stronger documents.
- If you never receive results, keep proof of when you sent the dispute.
Related
- How to Dispute Credit Report Errors With Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
- What Is the FCRA? The Fair Credit Reporting Act in Plain English
Sources
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681i(a)(6), (a)(8), (d) — Notice of results (Cornell LII)
- FTC — Disputing Errors on Your Credit Reports
Updated November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.