Under the FCRA, what happens to disputed information if it cannot be verified?

If the disputed information cannot be verified under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), it must be removed from the consumer's credit report. This aligns with the FCRA's requirement to ensure that consumer credit reports contain only accurate and verifiable information. When a consumer disputes an item on their credit report, the credit reporting agency is obligated to investigate the claim. If, after investigation, the reporting agency cannot verify the disputed information with the creditor or data furnisher within a specific time frame (typically 30 days), the information must be deleted from the consumer's credit file. This process is a crucial consumer protection mechanism aimed at maintaining the integrity of credit reporting and ensuring individuals are not negatively impacted by incorrect data.