Is Intelius safe? If you’re searching, it’s generally safe for your device and your data, but the billing needs watching: a low-cost trial converts into a monthly membership, and billing complaints are the most common issue. If you’re the one being searched, Intelius can list your address, phone number and relatives for anyone who pays. You can opt out for free.
Key facts
- Intelius is a people-search and reverse phone lookup site, owned by PeopleConnect, the same group that runs TruthFinder and Instant Checkmate.
- In 2010, Intelius agreed to pay $1.3 million to settle Washington state’s claims over deceptive “Identity Protect” billing, without admitting wrongdoing.
- It is not a consumer reporting agency, so it can’t be used for hiring, renting, credit or insurance decisions.
- Reviews put plans at about $21 to $35 a month, with a $0.95 trial that converts to a monthly plan.
- You can opt out free through PeopleConnect’s Suppression Center.
Last updated October 29, 2026. Prices and ratings come from 2026 reviews and change often. Confirm them before you pay. This guide is based on public records and independent reviews, not our own purchase of reports. It is general information, not legal advice.
What Is Intelius?
Intelius is a US people-search service founded in 2003. You enter a name, phone number, email or address, and it assembles a report from public records and other data sources. It claims more than 20 billion records. Most people use it to identify an unknown caller with its reverse phone lookup, find a lost contact, or check someone before a date or a sale.
Who Owns Intelius?
Intelius is part of PeopleConnect, a San Diego-based group whose brands also include TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate and US Search. Reviews report that PeopleConnect is backed by the private equity firm H.I.G. Capital. See our guide to TruthFinder for the FTC case against two of its sister brands. Intelius wasn’t named in that 2023 action.
Is Intelius Legit?
Yes, it’s a real, long-running company. But its history includes a notable billing case. In August 2010, Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna announced a $1.3 million settlement with Intelius. The state said customers were enrolled in an “Identity Protect” program and another company’s memberships through post-purchase offers they didn’t realize they were accepting, and that the program brought in nearly $62 million. According to the Associated Press, Intelius agreed to the settlement without admitting wrongdoing and to refund some Washington customers.
Wikipedia also records a class action, Lee v. Intelius, that settled for a combined $10.5 million. These are old cases, but they explain why billing is still the first thing reviewers mention.
As for ratings, BestGuide’s summary says Intelius has been BBB-accredited since July 2021 with an A rating, but with hundreds of complaints logged in three years and a low customer-review score. A BBB letter grade doesn’t reflect customer reviews, so check the BBB page for the current picture.
Is Intelius Safe to Use?
Your device: A visit isn’t a known malware risk. It’s an established subscription site.
Your money: Be careful. Reviewers describe a trial that converts to a full monthly price in small print, plus limited refunds. Set a cancellation reminder the day you sign up, and consider a virtual card with a spending limit. Our guide to financial data security explains how.
Your privacy: The bigger issue is what Intelius holds on you. For people at risk of doxxing or cyberstalking, a current address on a people-search site is a real safety risk.
How Accurate Is Intelius?
Not always. Reviewers repeatedly say reports can be incomplete, outdated or mixed up with someone with a similar name. Treat a report as a lead, not proof, and don’t confront anyone based on it alone.
Can You Use Intelius for Tenant or Employee Screening?
No. Intelius isn’t a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and its terms prohibit using it for employment, housing, credit or insurance decisions. Those decisions need a compliant background check. See the FTC’s Fair Credit Reporting Act page.
Intelius Pricing
| Plan | Typical price (2026 reviews) |
|---|---|
| Trial | About $0.95 for 5 to 7 days, then converts to a monthly plan |
| People search membership, monthly | About $21 to $35 a month; $34.95 appears in several reviews |
| Bimonthly | About $42 every two months in one 2026 review |
Reviews disagree on exact prices because of promotions, so check the checkout page. Memberships renew automatically, and reviewers describe refunds as limited. To cancel, log in, open My Account, go to Membership and choose Cancel Membership. If you subscribed through an app store, cancel there.
Intelius vs Spokeo, BeenVerified and TruthFinder
| Site | Typical monthly price | Regulatory history |
|---|---|---|
| Intelius | About $21 to $35 | 2010 Washington AG settlement ($1.3 million) |
| Spokeo | $19.95 | 2012 FTC settlement ($800,000) |
| BeenVerified | About $23 to $37 | No FTC action found |
| TruthFinder | About $28 | 2023 FTC settlement ($5.8 million) |
All of them are subscription services, none is a consumer reporting agency, and all should be treated as starting points, not proof.
How to Opt Out of Intelius
- Open the PeopleConnect Suppression Center at suppression.peopleconnect.us, which Intelius’s privacy tools send you to.
- Enter your email address and confirm the verification message.
- Enter your details to find your records, and select each record that is yours.
- Verify with the code sent to you and submit the request.
- Return after a few days to confirm the status says “Suppressed,” and search for yourself.
Reports say it takes about 15 minutes and that suppression usually takes effect within about 72 hours. Intelius can hold more than one profile for you, for example after a move or under a nickname, and each one needs a request. Reports differ on whether one request also covers TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate and US Search, so check each site afterward. DeleteMe’s help center says PeopleConnect doesn’t respond to submissions from third-party agents, so make this request yourself. Opting out is separate from canceling a paid membership.
Intelius is one site of many. Our guide to removing your information from the internet covers the rest, and you can compare automated services in Incogni vs DeleteMe.
Is Intelius Safe? FAQ
Is Intelius legit?
Yes. It’s a real company, though it settled with Washington state in 2010 over deceptive billing practices.
Is Intelius free?
No. A search shows a preview, but full reports need a membership or a low-cost trial that renews.
Is Intelius accurate?
Not always. Reports can be incomplete, outdated or wrong.
Is Intelius a scam?
Not in the sense of taking money for nothing, but billing and cancellation complaints are common. Read the terms and set a reminder.
Can I use Intelius to screen a tenant or employee?
No. It isn’t a consumer reporting agency and its terms prohibit it.
Does Intelius notify the person I search?
We found no notification feature, and reviewers report it doesn’t.
How do I remove my information from Intelius?
Use the PeopleConnect Suppression Center, verify your email, select your records and submit the request. It’s free, and you should recheck every few months.
Bottom Line
Intelius is a legitimate but imperfect people-search service. Its main risks are billing surprises, uneven accuracy and the exposure it creates for the people it lists. If you use it, cancel on time and treat reports as leads. If you’d rather not be listed, opt out.
Sources
- Washington State Attorney General, Intelius banked on consumer confusion (2010)
- Associated Press via The Columbian, Intelius to pay $1.3M for deceptive marketing
- Wikipedia, Intelius
- BestGuide, Intelius review 2026
- TechRadar, Intelius review
- FTC, Fair Credit Reporting Act
