First, and kinda as an aside, I have a problem with CK caliing their process a "direct dispute" process.
All they are doing is acting as a middle-man in sending a dispute to the CRA on your behalf.
Direct disputes are an entirely separate dispute process provided for under FCRA 623(a)(8), wherein a consumer sends their dispute directly to the furnisher, and the CRA is not involved. Third parties are explcityly precluded from involvement in the FCRA direct dispute process under explicit exemption in FCRA 623(a)(8).
CK is incorrectly using terminology that is confusing the process.
Be that as it may, once the CRA gets the dispute, they are required to forward a copy to the furnisher, and the furnisher is required to respond back to the CRA prior to expiration of the CRA reinvestigation period,which is 30 days, provided the consumer has not filed any addtional information after filing the initial dispute.
If the furnisher delays (or in the extreme, does not reply back to the CRA), that can push the CRA to the end of the complete 30-day reinvestigation period.
The CRA cannot control response time from the furnisher.
It could range from a matter of only hours if the furnisher responds back electronically using the e-Oscar system, or could be delayed.
Bottom line is that the CRA must, regardless of when or even if they receive a response from the furnisher, conclude their reinvestigation within the 30-day period, and send the Notice of Resutls of Reinvestigation within 5 business days thereafter. With intervening weekends or a holiday, plus mailing time, it can be up to 40-45 days from filing of a dispute before the Notice hits the consumer's mail box.
