Overview
Credit agencies such as SCHUFA store information about consumers’ payment behavior. Banks, landlords, mobile phone providers and retailers use this before concluding contracts. A negative entry can therefore have noticeable consequences: a loan is rejected, an account is canceled, an apartment goes to other applicants.
Not every entry is eligible. Errors arise, for example, if a claim is reported even though it was disputed, if a settled claim is not noted as settled, if people are mixed up or if unknown people have concluded contracts in your name after identity theft. Disputes with your own bank often lead to a report whose requirements are questionable.
The General Data Protection Regulation gives you effective rights: information about the data stored, correction of incorrect information and deletion of unlawfully processed data. We check whether the report was legal and assert your claims against the reporting company and the credit agency.
Immediate steps
These steps make sense in most cases – regardless of whether you instruct us.
Request a free data copy from SCHUFA and, if necessary, other credit agencies in accordance with Art. 15 GDPR. It shows which entries are saved and which company reported them.
Compare each entry with your own documents: Do you know the contractual partner, is the amount correct, has the claim been paid or disputed? Write down what you think is incorrect.
Collect proof of payment, your correspondence with the creditor, letters of objection and - in the case of identity abuse - the criminal complaint. The better the facts are documented, the more targeted the approach can be.
Tell the credit agency and the reporting company in writing which information is incorrect and why. During the review, a dispute notice or a restriction on processing may come into consideration.
Do not pay what you believe to be an unjustified claim just in the hope that the entry will then disappear. A payment does not automatically lead to deletion and can change the legal situation.
Unsure what to do first in your case?
Legal assessment
We evaluate the data copy and, if necessary, request additional information - for example, who reported the entry, on what basis and to whom the data was passed on.
The reporting of open claims is subject to certain requirements. Among other things, we check whether the claim was due and undisputed, whether a reminder was given properly and whether the possible report was pointed out.
If stored information is incorrect or incomplete - such as an incorrect amount or a missing completion note - a claim for correction may be considered.
If data has been processed unlawfully or if further storage is no longer necessary, a claim for deletion may be considered. Whether and when it exists depends on the type of entry and the individual case.
If an unauthorized entry has resulted in material or immaterial damage, a claim for compensation may be considered. The prerequisite is, among other things, a violation of the GDPR and any resulting damage that must be demonstrated.
Who may be liable
The company that initiated the entry - such as a bank, a retailer or a telecommunications provider - can be considered as a respondent for the revocation of the report and, if necessary, for damages.
If the claim was reported by a debt collection company, this could also be considered as a defendant, especially if the claim had previously been disputed.
The credit agency is responsible for the data it stores under data protection law. You may have claims for information, correction and deletion.
If the entry is based on a dispute with the bank, for example over an account overdraft or a loan termination, we also check the underlying claim and the bank's actions.
Whether and against whom claims actually exist depends on the individual case and can only be assessed after reviewing the documents.
Preserve evidence
Do not delete anything – not even out of anger or shame. Your account of events is enough for the initial enquiry; documents can be submitted later.
Our approach
Using the form, you describe to us in a few minutes what happened. You can submit documents later.
We review your details, classify the facts and examine against whom claims may be available.
You receive an honest assessment of prospects, risks and costs – and decide for yourself whether to instruct us.
We implement the agreed strategy: towards banks, payment service providers and other parties involved, and in court if necessary.
FAQ
General guidance – it does not replace advice on your individual case.
You can request a free data copy from SCHUFA in accordance with Art. 15 GDPR. This is to be distinguished from the paid credit report, which is often offered more prominently. The data copy contains the saved entries and the reporting bodies.
This comes into consideration if the claim does not exist, was disputed in a timely manner, the requirements for a report were not met or the information is incorrect. Entries resulting from identity theft are also incorrect. Whether an entry is legally vulnerable can only be assessed after examining the documents.
Not automatically. A legitimate claim is usually noted as settled after payment and remains stored for a certain period of time. The situation may be different if the report was unlawful from the start - then deletion is an option regardless of payment.
This depends on the individual case, especially on whether the claim existed, whether it was disputed and whether the conditions for reporting were met. Eligible entries cannot be removed prematurely and we do not provide any guarantees. After examining your documents, we will tell you openly how we assess your prospects.
The initial assessment of your request is free of charge. We will inform you transparently in advance about the costs of further action before you decide whether to commission us.
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Case review
We will assess which claims may be available and which next steps may make sense.
Your details are treated in confidence. An enquiry does not yet establish a client relationship.
By telephone, by email or via the case review – in confidence and initially without obligation.