ZEK and IKO: understanding records and your personal data report

ZEK and IKO are not the same

The terms ZEK and IKO may arise during a loan enquiry. Both concern information about commitments, but they perform different tasks. IKO is the consumer credit information office provided for by law. Its database follows the requirements of the Consumer Credit Act (KKG).

ZEK records a broader range of creditworthiness information, including commitments outside the KKG and certain card information. ZEK and IKO are separate organisations with separate databases. The official ZEK explanation describes this distinction.

For you, this means that information from one database is not automatically a complete report on every other organisation’s data. When a specific problem arises, ask which data source a statement refers to. The two names should not be used interchangeably for a single “blacklist”.

A record is not automatically negative

ZEK expressly describes positive and negative reports. A correctly serviced loan may therefore also appear in a data report. The mere existence of data does not tell you how a lender assesses your application. What matters is the information held and how it contributes to the overall assessment.

Distinguish stored information from a lending decision. A database report is not a personal offer or a guaranteed decision about a particular amount. An application may be unaffordable despite unremarkable records if the ongoing budget leaves insufficient room. Conversely, an unfamiliar entry should first be explained before you draw conclusions.

Our explanation of creditworthiness and affordability helps distinguish these levels. Database information is one possible source; a complete repayment assessment includes further financial information.

How to view your own ZEK data

You can order a free ZEK personal data report directly through the official “Entries relating to me” page. Under the rules described there, the extract is delivered by post for data protection reasons. Additional ordering requirements apply to particular address situations.

Use the official ordering facility and follow the current identity and address requirements. You do not need a paid intermediary simply to order the standard free extract. Keep the documents received secure and share them only as necessary for the specific clarification.

Review the extract calmly. Match known agreements with your own documents and mark unclear items. Note precisely what you do not understand: the agreement, an amount, a date or attribution. A specific question is easier to address than a general request to “delete everything”.

Have incorrect information corrected specifically

According to ZEK’s guidance, the organisation that made the entry is an important first contact if you suspect errors. It can review the facts against its records. The page about correcting or deleting incorrect data describes the process.

State your concern factually and specifically. Identify the item concerned, explain the suspected discrepancy and attach suitable evidence. A payment receipt may, for example, help identify a particular transaction. It does not automatically prove that every earlier piece of information connected with it is incorrect.

Ask for a clear response and keep the correspondence. Once a correction is confirmed, check that the relevant facts are subsequently represented correctly. A data correction and a new lending decision remain separate processes.

Repayment does not always mean immediate deletion

Retention periods apply to ZEK entries depending on the type of data. The official guidance on retention periods refers to the applicable overview. A single period should therefore not be applied to every entry.

Distinguish factually correct stored information from incorrect details. A completed commitment may need to be assessed differently from one wrongly attributed to you. A blanket promise to remove every correct record immediately for a fee is not a reliable basis. Clarify the specific record directly with the responsible organisations.

For a new loan enquiry, it remains essential that your own information is complete and correct. A personal data report can resolve uncertainties, but creates no extra income and does not automatically increase your borrowing capacity. Use it as a transparency tool, not as a supposed substitute for affordable financing.

Frequently asked questions

Is ZEK a blacklist?

No. It also contains positive information about correctly fulfilled commitments. An existing record is not automatically negative.

Does requesting my ZEK data directly cost anything?

ZEK provides the standard database extract free of charge. Use the official ordering page and observe its current requirements.

Is everything deleted immediately after repayment?

Not as a general rule. Retention periods depend on the entry. Incorrect data should be challenged specifically; correct repayment is a different matter.

Sources and information date

Information as of 13 October 2026. Provider conditions may change. The individual assessment and contract documents are decisive.

• ZEK: distinction from IKO
• ZEK: entries relating to me
• ZEK: correcting incorrect data
• ZEK: retention periods
• ZEK: FAQ

Credit must not be granted if it would lead to over-indebtedness. A budget calculation provides a non-binding indication, not a loan offer.