Continued from Part 1 of How To Recover from Identity Theft…

It is true that you do have a right to dispute unauthorized and inaccurate entries on your own credit report when you recover from identity theft. A written explanation of any ensuing dispute investigation results. Should an investigation discover the information you are disputing is, in fact, inaccurate and those resultant changes are made in your credit report, you are also entitled, once those changes have been put in place, to a copy of your personal credit report.

On completion of an investigation and corrections added in your credit report, you retain the right also to request copies of the new updated report be sent to every creditor who in the last six months has withdrawn your credit and every employer who has requested it over the last two years. There is a catch of course – what else would you expect – you must request these services and the request must be made in writing, so keep a copy.

Sometimes investigations don’t lead to answers that are in your favor. Should the investigation find that you are still liable for a ‘disputed’ entry (whether you regard it as fraudulent or not) in your credit report, you can again request (in writing) the dispute is noted in your credit report, further, that the dispute letter is included each time there is a request for your full credit report.

By law, an investigation should be completed within twenty business days from the date of your letter’s receipt with the CRA, meaning you should expect the results of an investigation within thirty to forty-five days after submission of the dispute. (Four working weeks plus the weekends either side as long as no holidays occur during that time and postage time from your end.) If results don’t appear within that time frame, then you may follow-up on your dispute (and its investigation) possibly with a right to have that disputed entry expunged from your credit report, no matter the result of the investigation. However, please note, this activity will require handling by an appropriately qualified legal counselor.