While you might hate them, you don’t want your data to be removed from their systems. If you’re having a hard time accessing credit with them, imagine what happens when you try to access credit as a ghost.

Right. The problem is, I do not need credit, but in Germany most landlords ask for this SCHUFA report to consider a rental application. They get 100s of applications (there is housing shortage), so not having any report is not working. And if you are a new expat without a permanent address, or you didn't know and tried to check how much something would be with installments (which triggers the application procedure and the rejection - all in one click often), or you just didn't like your first apartment and moved, or you didn't like your first bank, didn't close your credit card, and opened another bank with another credit card - your score is going to go down the drain. Thankfully now at least they have a report on "why" you have a low score. Before Sep 2025 it was just "low" and no explanation. You can check here https://www.schufa.de/en/scoring-data/new-score/index.jsp