BKK mass data query at the Schufa

German BKK: Health insurance apparently asks data from Schufa

01/09/2014

According to media reports, the German BKK has mass inquiries at the Schufa. In about 11,000 cases, information about the financial situation of debtors has been obtained. The health insurance company then came under criticism.

Information collected in about 11,000 cases
The German BKK, one of the largest health insurance funds in this country, has been criticized for its collaboration with the Schufa. After researching the radio program „NDR info“ and the news magazine „The mirror“ The health insurance company based in Wolfsburg has inquired about the financial situation of thousands of debtors. Since March 2011, employees of the Enforcement / Insolvency department of Deutsche BKK have obtained information from Schufa in around 11,000 cases.

If voluntarily insured contributions do not pay
For example, Schufa consulted the statutory health insurance fund with some 800,000 insured persons if insured persons, such as self-employed persons, or employers persistently did not pay their contributions. As a cashier spokeswoman explained, the process helps determine if the money is still recoverable and „to avoid economically unnecessary enforcement actions“. Already in 2009, the then Federal Data Protection Commissioner in another case had expressed doubts about the course and necessity of such an exchange.

Social data may only be disclosed in exceptional cases
According to data protectors, the social data also includes the name or date of birth of insured persons. „The mirror“ reported that health insurance companies may only pass them on in exceptional cases. However, the German BKK denied doing so in their exchange with the Schufa. A spokeswoman for the Federal Data Protection Commission, however, doubted this and stated: „From a privacy perspective, it is unimaginable that the Schufa request will be made without the transmission of social data.“

Office of the Federal Data Protection Commissioner examine the case
In the opinion of Schufa, the transfer of data is legally permissible and in the interest of the company. „The Schufa helps to bring in claims of persons who, despite repeated requests, have owed due insurance premiums. The transfer of data is permitted by law and is also in the interest of the company and the insured“, it says at the credit agency. For the observance of the social law, however, the fund itself is responsible. At present the case is examined by the office of the Federal Data Protection Officer.

Criticism of Schufa is not new
Criticism of Schufa and those who work with it are not new. Not only for reasons of data protection repeatedly appear allegations against the credit reference agency, but also because of some lack of legitimacy of queries, abuse, for example in cases that have become known with telecommunications companies or because of incorrect data. For example, in 2009 the Federal Consumer Protection Ministry came to the conclusion that Schufa also has a very high error rate. (Ad)