2010 (PDF, 1.1 MB) - Schufa

Quick access to the SCHUFA credit report
The revised Bundesdatenschutzgesetz (Federal Data Protection
Act) came into effect as of 1 April 2010. The goal of the amendment
was to create more transparency for consumers and make
it easier for them to find out which personal information credit
bureaus had stored on them. Within the first month after the
law was amended, approximately 240,000 consumers requested
a report on their personal information as stored by SCHUFA. The
figure was double that of the same month of the previous year.
Despite the increase in the volume of requests, the number of
resulting queries was relatively low. For the most part, consumers
submitted updated information. Only a very small quantity of
stored data was incorrect as a result of processing errors. SCHUFA
welcomes the increased interest of consumers in their own information.
Accurate and up-to-date financial information provides
the foundation of business relationships for all those involved.
The service hotline and the consumer portal
In addition, as of 1 April 2010, SCHUFA also made it easier for
people throughout Germany to gain access to personal information
stored by SCHUFA. Approximately 750,000 people used the
service hotline in 2010. SCHUFA expanded this service to ensure
optimal accessibility nationwide. This channel of communication
shall also be improved and expanded in the future while maintaining
the same level of accessibility.
SCHUFA’s service number as well as the consumer portal
www.meineSCHUFA.de were again very well accepted by citizens
in the reporting year. They can view their SCHUFA information
directly online or request to receive it by post. Ever since
the Internet portal went live in 2005, the number of registrations
has continually increased to more than 880,000 users by
the end of the reporting period.
SCHUFA’s update service also offers consumers an additional
measure to protect against identity theft by providing information
on updates to their data records. Furthermore, registered
users are offered a WebCode. This allows authorised third parties
to access brief information regarding identity or the ability
to make payments. The service offers extra added value particularly
in situations in which consumers wish to present their
financial reputation at short notice, like when they are asked
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to prove their creditworthiness during an apartment viewing
for example.
To contact SCHUFA, consumers can use the Internet portal
www.meineSCHUFA.de or SCHUFA’s service centre at the service
number (+ 49 (0) 1805 - SCHUFA or + 49 (0) 1805 - 724832).
SCHUFA creditworthiness report
On 30 March 2010, SCHUFA set up an additional service for
consumers that went above and beyond the requirements of the
new Bundesdatenschutzgesetz (Federal Data Protection Act):
the SCHUFA creditworthiness report which, like the SCHUFA
business report, provides valuable support for private business
transactions. Its unique feature is that it is divided into two service
components. The first part was specially designed to be submitted
to third parties such as landlords or employers. This part contains
only the information specifically relevant for business agreements
without providing unnecessary details. Furthermore it is
secured against forgery and printed on special paper with a
watermark. The second component of the new creditworthiness
report is intended for consumers only and displays all of their
personal information stored by SCHUFA.