How to Delete a Negative Entry in SCHUFA
Anyone who registers in Germany automatically gets a credit score from the Schutzgemeinschaft fur allgemeine Kreditsicherung (SCHUFA). This means that you are regularly checked by banks, providers, telcos, etc.
When concluding contracts, financing or loans, SCHUFA information is always required to assess your creditworthiness. Negative entries in your Schufa file can have life-shattering consequences for you if you are trying to buy a house, rent a flat or even get a cell phone contract.
Delete the entry with the creditor
Getting a negative entry in the credit database of SCHUFA can have serious consequences for consumers. These can include building loans being rejected, rental or mobile phone contracts failing, credits or loans being denied and even the leasing or purchase of a vehicle becoming more difficult.
If you get a negative entry in your SCHUFA file, it’s important to do something about it immediately. This can be done by deleting it with the creditor or by reporting an error to the credit agency.
The first step is to contact your creditor and ask them to delete the entry with the credit agency. If the creditor agrees to do so, they must then submit a copy of the deletion request to the credit agency in writing. The creditor must also provide evidence that the entry is incorrect and that it was made by a third party.
This process can take a while, so you’ll want to try and respond in good time. If you do not respond within the required time frame, the creditor can then submit an objection to the credit agency.
However, there are cases in which it can be difficult to challenge a negative entry, such as if you’ve not paid your installments or arrears on time and the creditor terminates the contract without notice. The creditor must have notified you of their intention to enter the contract in the credit agency before terminating it, and this notification must have been sent at least two times in writing.
In addition, the creditor must have sent a reminder of the payment deadline in writing at least four weeks before it was due. This is especially the case if the reminder was sent through e-mail.
You can also have minor debts removed from your SCHUFA file if you pay them off in full and the creditor agrees to do so. There are three requirements for this to be successful: The debt must not be a legal claim, the creditor must consent to the removal and the outstanding amount must be paid within six weeks of the report being generated.
Delete the entry with Schufa
A negative Schufa entry can have a serious impact on your creditworthiness. This is because banks and other providers rely on the so-called Schufa score to assess your financial credibility. If this is negative, many companies and banks will reject your loan application. Therefore, it is important to investigate your Schufa file thoroughly and delete all illegal entries.
The credit agency SCHUFA collects and processes data on more than 60 million people living in Germany, including foreigners with a German residence. This includes all bank accounts and mobile contracts, as well as all invoices that are unpaid or paid late (e.g. bills from online shops).
These data are listed in a Schufa register for a specific period of time. After three years, all old or incorrectly entered data is deleted from the register.
Negative Schufa entries are usually caused by non-contractual behavior. These include, for example, not settling installments or payment arrears or terminating a contract without notice.
But there are also negative entries that are legitimate open claims and have to be settled immediately. For these, the creditor is required to notify the credit agency, and it is only then that they can be deleted.
If you have a negative Schufa entry and do not know why, it is best to order a copy of your Schufa report for free. This can be done by clicking here.
In addition to the right to view your own data, you have the right to correct or delete any information that is incorrect. This is especially the case when an error has been made.
This can be done by reporting the mistake to the relevant creditor and providing evidence of the error. If the creditor refuses to do this, it is necessary to apply for deletion with the credit agency, and they can arrange this for you.
The entry can be removed by the creditor or by SCHUFA if the debt is fully paid off or has been resolved. In the latter case, it is possible to ask the court to remove the entry from the register of creditors.
Delete the entry with the court
You may have heard about a company called “SCHUFA Holding AG” that collects data on all the financial services you use. This includes all the bank accounts, credit cards, mobile phone contracts and internet bills you have. Almost every company that offers you financing options, such as the bank or mobile phone operator, will check your SCHUFA information and determine if you are a reliable customer and able to pay back the loan.
Many companies also ask for a SCHUFA report when you want to rent an apartment or buy a property. This is because your SCHUFA score can make a big difference to how much you can borrow, or how much you will have to pay in interest.
There are many different reasons why you might have a negative entry in your SCHUFA report, but the main reason is that you did not pay back a payment that was due to you. If you have a negative entry in your SCHUFA record, it will be difficult to obtain credit or take out a new contract with a provider.
If you are unable to get the financing you need because of your SCHUFA entry, it is important to find a way to delete the entry before it becomes irreversible. For this you will need the help of a lawyer, who is experienced in deleting negative entries in schufa.
The first thing you should do is get a copy of your SCHUFA data copy. This will allow you to review all of the information that is stored in your SCHUFA account. You will also be able to find out which negative entries you have and what you can do about them.
One of the most common ways to delete a negative SCHUFA entry is to settle it with the creditor. This will not only improve your credit rating, but it will also prevent a further negative entry in the future.
Another option is to request that the entry is deleted by the court. The court will then be able to remove the entry from your SCHUFA record.
Delete the entry with the data protection authority
The best way to get your mitts on the coveted credit card is by calling in a favor and using it in the right way. Similarly, a few well-timed calls to the bank will go a long way towards keeping you afloat when the mortgage saga rears its head. One of the better things to do is to get a free credit check from the bank that specializes in negotiating loans for people with poor credit ratings.