In a method of transferring data from a transponder to a reading device in a scanning identification system through load-modulation of an inquiry signal emitted by the reading device, with the transponder being initialized at the beginning of the reception of the inquiry signal and responding with the emission of the response signal, first a predetermined number of data bits that are not part of the response signal are transmitted, and a terminator sequence followed by the response signal are repeatedly transmitted, until the inquiry signal is interrupted. The time required by the reading device for building up the inquiry field is bridged by the predetermined number of data bits and, at the same time, the reading device is synchronized to the clock of the response signal. Through the terminator sequence, which indicates the beginning of a valid response signal, the response signal is already recognized correctly by the reading device during the first transfer.