Schufa report: request a free copy and delete an entry

A wrong Schufa entry can cost you a loan, a flat or a phone contract. Two letters bring clarity: first the free report, then correction or deletion.

Step 1: request the free data copy

Under Art. 15 GDPR you are entitled to a free copy of all stored data, including scores. Schufa must usually reply within one month (Art. 12(3) GDPR). You don't need the paid "BonitätsCheck".

Write with full name, date of birth and current plus previous addresses of the last five years. An ID copy (redacted except name, address, date of birth) may be requested.

Step 2: check the entries

Are name, addresses and date of birth correct?
Are there contracts or accounts you don't recognise?
Are payment defaults already paid or were they disputed?

Hands putting a letter into an envelope next to a report with a crossed-out line — For each wrong entry: name it, give reasons, attach evidence.

Step 3: demand correction or deletion

Wrong data must be corrected (Art. 16 GDPR), unlawfully stored data deleted (Art. 17 GDPR). A claim you have disputed may generally not be reported as a payment default. Settled entries are deleted after fixed periods — check whether they have passed.

Contact the reporting company in parallel: it can withdraw the entry itself.

Sample deletion text

Dear Sir or Madam,
my data copy of [date] shows the entry [creditor, amount]. This claim [was paid on … / was disputed by me on …]. Under Art. 16 and 17 GDPR I demand correction or deletion and written confirmation by [date].
Yours faithfully

If nothing happens

If Schufa doesn't respond or refuses, you can complain free of charge to the competent state data protection authority (for Schufa: Hesse). Request the report with the credit report request template; for deletion use the GDPR data deletion template.

Note: This article is not legal advice.