How to Opt Out of Orca

Orca Information, Inc. is a background screening company that has been compiling consumer reports for tenant and employment screening purposes since 1993. Operating from Burlington, Washington, Orca serves over 2,500 clients nationwide, providing landlords and employers with detailed background reports on applicants. If you have ever applied for a rental property or a job that used Orca's services, your personal information is likely in their system.

What Information Does Orca Collect?

As a consumer reporting agency (CRA) regulated under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Orca Information compiles detailed background reports that can include:

• Full name, date of birth, and Social Security Number
• Current and previous addresses
• Employment history
• Credit history and credit scores
• Criminal records (county, state, and federal)
• Eviction records and court judgments
• Sex offender registry checks
• Professional license verifications
• References and prior landlord checks

Because Orca operates as a regulated CRA rather than a public people search engine, the opt-out process differs from sites like Spokeo or BeenVerified. Your rights are actually stronger under the FCRA, which provides specific legal protections for consumers whose data appears in screening reports.

Your Rights Under the FCRA

Before diving into the opt-out steps, it is important to understand that the FCRA gives you several powerful rights when dealing with consumer reporting agencies like Orca Information:

• Right to know what is in your file: You can request a copy of all information Orca has about you.
• Right to dispute inaccurate information: If anything in your report is wrong, Orca must investigate within 30 days and correct or delete unverifiable data.
• Right to consent: Orca cannot furnish a report about you without a permissible purpose, and employers or landlords generally must obtain your written authorization first.
• Right to be notified of adverse actions: If a landlord or employer denies your application based on an Orca report, they must tell you and provide Orca's contact information so you can review the report.
• Right to sue for violations: If Orca violates the FCRA, you can seek actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, and attorney fees in federal or state court.

Step-by-Step: How to Opt Out of Orca Information

1. Request a copy of your consumer file:

   Contact Orca Information to request a complete copy of the information they have on file about you. Under the FCRA, you are entitled to one free copy per year, and a free copy any time you have been denied housing or employment based on their report. Call their toll-free number at 1-800-341-0022 or email orca@orcainfo-com.com to make this request.

2. Review your report for inaccuracies:

   Carefully examine every detail in the report. Look for incorrect addresses, misattributed criminal records, outdated information, or data that belongs to someone else. Errors in background screening reports are more common than most people realize.

3. File a formal dispute:

   If you find inaccurate or incomplete information, submit a written dispute to Orca Information. You can reach them at:

   • Mail: Orca Information, Inc., PO Box 277, Anacortes, WA 98221
   • Phone: 1-800-341-0022
   • Email: orca@orcainfo-com.com

   Be specific about which items you are disputing and why. Include supporting documentation when possible.

4. Wait for the investigation:

   Orca is required by law to investigate your dispute within 30 days (or 45 days if you provide additional information during the investigation). They must contact the original data source to verify the disputed information.

5. Receive the results:

   Orca must notify you of the investigation results in writing. If information cannot be verified, it must be removed from your file. If the dispute results in changes, you are entitled to a free updated copy of your report.

6. Request deletion of your data:

   If you want to go beyond correcting inaccuracies and wish to have your data removed entirely, submit a written request to Orca citing your state privacy laws. Residents of California, Colorado, Virginia, Connecticut, and other states with comprehensive privacy laws may have the right to request deletion of personal data. California residents can also use the state's Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform (DROP) at privacy.ca.gov to send deletion requests to registered data brokers.

7. Follow up and confirm removal:

   After 30 days, contact Orca again to verify that your information has been corrected or removed. Keep records of all communications in case you need to escalate the matter.

What to Do If Orca Does Not Respond

If Orca Information fails to respond to your dispute within 30 days or does not properly investigate, you have several escalation options:

• File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Visit consumerfinance.gov/complaint to submit a formal complaint. The CFPB oversees consumer reporting agencies and can intervene on your behalf.
• File a complaint with the FTC: The Federal Trade Commission enforces the FCRA and accepts complaints at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
• Contact your state attorney general: Many state AGs have consumer protection divisions that handle screening company complaints.
• Consult a consumer rights attorney: FCRA violations can result in statutory damages, and many consumer attorneys take these cases on contingency.

Tips for a Successful Opt-Out

• Put everything in writing: Send disputes via certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of delivery and the date Orca received your request.
• Be specific and thorough: Identify each piece of information you are disputing and explain why it is inaccurate or why you want it removed.
• Include supporting documents: Attach copies (never originals) of any documents that support your dispute, such as court records showing a case was dismissed or proof of identity to resolve a mixed file.
• Keep a timeline: Track when you sent your dispute and when the 30-day clock runs out. This matters if you need to escalate.
• Check affiliated services: Orca Information may share data with landlords, property management companies, and other screening partners. Opting out of Orca does not automatically remove your data from those third parties.

Why Manual Opt-Outs Are Not Enough

Orca Information is just one of hundreds of data brokers and screening companies that may hold your personal information. Tenant screening agencies, people search sites, marketing data brokers, and public records aggregators all contribute to a vast network of personal data that is difficult to manage on your own.

Even after successfully opting out of Orca, your information likely remains on dozens of other platforms. Each site has its own opt-out process, timeline, and quirks. Some require email verification, others demand identity documents, and many will relist your data within months.

PrivacyOn automates this process across 100+ data brokers, continuously monitoring for your information and submitting removal requests on your behalf. Instead of spending hours navigating individual opt-out forms, you can let PrivacyOn handle the ongoing work of keeping your personal data off these sites.

Final Thoughts

Opting out of Orca Information requires a more formal approach than typical people search sites because of its status as an FCRA-regulated consumer reporting agency. The upside is that your legal protections are stronger: Orca is required by law to investigate disputes, correct errors, and respond within specific timeframes. Take advantage of these rights, document everything, and consider using a service like PrivacyOn to manage your broader data broker exposure so that your personal information stays under your control.