that the CRA's have 30 days to complete their investigation of my credit dispute. But I just got a response back from Equifax saying that they have 45 days to respond. So, I was thinking about waiting the 30 days and then insisting they remove the negative entry if they haven't completed their investigation by then. Is that a bad idea, or will it just get them on the ball to finish up in the next 15 days? Or am I just confusing some things here?
Read the FCRA before you believe what the "credit repair primer" (whatever that is) says. ALWAYS GO TO THE SOURCE and then read it like you're Equifax (looking for the loopholes) and not like you're a consumer (or other reasonable person). If, after that effort, you still think you're in the right, then research existing case law to see what a judge thought. This is less fruitful because many (most?) FDCPA and FCRA suits are settled before trial. But this review gives you an idea of how the various defendants and plaintiffs pursued the matter. Now, re: 45 vs. 30 days. IIRC 30-days is the federal time period but I think there are differences in when that clock starts running and each state might also have some consumer-protection legislation that applies and gives them more time to respond. So, you should also research your state's laws in addition to the FCRA. Bottom line, don't use an internet resource as your ONLY resource. Always go to the source document(s).
If you filed the dispute based on your free annual credit report rather than one that you purchased, they have 45 days for their investigation. Why? Because Congress said so. They gave you the right to the free report, but it comes with a different price.
