If your credit reporting rights were violated, timing matters.

The FCRA has a specific statute of limitations.

The General Rule

You must file suit:

• Within 2 years of discovering the violation, OR
• Within 5 years of the date the violation occurred

Whichever comes first.

What Counts as “Discovery”?

Discovery generally means:

• When you learned of the inaccurate reporting
• When you learned the investigation was inadequate

The clock does not necessarily start when the original reporting occurred — it often starts when you discover the problem.

Why Timing Matters

Waiting too long can:

• Bar your claim entirely
• Eliminate recovery options
• Allow evidence to become stale

If disputes are ongoing, determining the correct timeline can be complex.

The Bottom Line

The FCRA statute of limitations is not indefinite.

If you believe your credit reporting rights were violated, early review preserves options.