Wegweiser Consumers · Your rights when buying and contracting Deutsch

📬 Reminders, debt collection and Schufa

Do not pay blindly. Check the claim, reminder and debt collection. For Schufa entries you have a right of access.

Reminder Debt collection Default (Verzug) Schufa Self-disclosure (Selbstauskunft) Payment order (Mahnbescheid) Check a claim Data copy

In brief

An invoice or reminder does not automatically mean the claim is correct. Check whether you concluded the contract and whether the amount is right.

  • Have the claim substantiated.
  • Pay justified claims before costs rise.
  • Request a free copy of your Schufa data.
  • You can have wrong entries corrected.

Step by step

  1. CheckContract, invoice, due date, amount, sender.
  2. Object in writing if it is wrongGive brief reasons, send by registered mail or with proof of delivery.
  3. Get your self-disclosureFree data copy under Art. 15 DSGVO via meineschufa.de.
  4. Use advice servicesVerbraucherzentrale or debt counselling (Schuldnerberatung).

Deadlines

30 days
Default at the latest for a monetary claim after the due date and receipt of the invoice (for consumers only if the invoice specifically points out the consequences of default)§ 286 Abs. 3 BGB
3 years (in some cases 18 months)
Negative Schufa entries are generally deleted after settlement; 18 months if paid within 100 days of being reported (code of conduct)Verbraucherzentrale; BGH 18.12.2025 – I ZR 97/25
6 months
Storage of the discharge of residual debtAccording to the Verbraucherzentrale
Watch out – common mistakes
  • Payment orders have their own short objection period. Read the deadline on the letter and do not ignore it.
  • Only Schufa contractual partners may report debts; private creditors such as landlords may not.
  • While an entry is being clarified, the Schufa must block it (according to the Verbraucherzentrale).
  • The 18-month deletion period applies only in some cases (payment within 100 days of being reported).
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Default, § 286 BGB

Under § 286 Abs. 1 BGB, the debtor falls into default through a reminder given after the due date. Under § 286 Abs. 3, the debtor of a monetary claim falls into default at the latest if they do not pay within 30 days of the due date and receipt of an invoice or equivalent statement of payment. For consumers this applies only if the invoice specifically pointed out the consequences of default (§ 286 Abs. 3 S. 1 BGB).

Schufa

According to the Verbraucherzentrale, a free self-disclosure is possible from the Schufa and every other credit agency (data copy under Art. 15 DSGVO via meineschufa.de). Negative entries generally have to be deleted three years after settlement, in some cases after 18 months (code of conduct: payment within 100 days of being reported). The BGH (18.12.2025 – I ZR 97/25) confirms the three-year orientation (source: verbraucherzentrale.de, BGH press release 233/2025). The grant of discharge of residual debt may be stored for only six months. For wrong entries: ask the Schufa and the creditor to correct them.

Debt collection costs

Disclosure and information duties: §§ 13a, 13b RDG. Recoverability: § 13e RDG. Fees are governed by the RVG. If the costs are excessive, contact the Verbraucherzentrale.

Who is responsible
  • Creditor / debt collection company
  • Schufa (information, correction)
  • Verbraucherzentrale, debt counselling (Schuldnerberatung)
Further reading
Loans, instalment purchases and consumer insolvencyAdvice and contact points

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Reminders, debt collection and Schufa“?
Do not pay blindly. Check the claim, reminder and debt collection. For Schufa entries you have a right of access.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • 30 days: Default at the latest for a monetary claim after the due date and receipt of the invoice (for consumers only if the invoice specifically points out the consequences of default) (§ 286 Abs. 3 BGB)
  • 3 years (in some cases 18 months): Negative Schufa entries are generally deleted after settlement; 18 months if paid within 100 days of being reported (code of conduct) (Verbraucherzentrale; BGH 18.12.2025 – I ZR 97/25)
  • 6 months: Storage of the discharge of residual debt (According to the Verbraucherzentrale)
What should I do first?
  • Check: Contract, invoice, due date, amount, sender.
  • Object in writing if it is wrong: Give brief reasons, send by registered mail or with proof of delivery.
  • Get your self-disclosure: Free data copy under Art. 15 DSGVO via meineschufa.de.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • Payment orders have their own short objection period. Read the deadline on the letter and do not ignore it.
  • Only Schufa contractual partners may report debts; private creditors such as landlords may not.
  • While an entry is being clarified, the Schufa must block it (according to the Verbraucherzentrale).
Evidence
  • gesetze-im-internet.de, § 286 BGB, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Verbraucherzentrale, Was tun bei einem Schufa-Eintrag?, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Search result on Schufa self-disclosure (Art. 15 DSGVO), retrieved 20 September 2026", "BGH press release 233/2025 (judgment of 18.12.2025 – I ZR 97/25); verbraucherzentrale.de
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.