How to cancel Intelius in canada and recover your money
What is Intelius and why canadians cancel
Intelius is a U.S.-based people-search platform that aggregates public records, reverse phone lookups, and background reports into searchable profiles. The service operates on recurring subscription models, charging monthly or annual fees in U.S. dollars, and pulls data from government records, property databases, and public sources to generate reports about individuals, phone numbers, and addresses.
Canadian users often cancel Intelius when charges appear unexpectedly, recur after a free trial, or duplicate previous payments. Since Intelius bills in USD and operates under U.S. terms of service, navigating cancellation and refunds can feel opaque. The good news: you have clear legal rights in Canada, and Yafee has helped thousands of Canadian consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unauthorized charges.
Why canadians cancel Intelius
Common cancellation triggers include accidental recurring charges, hidden auto-renewal after trial periods, or discovering that the same information exists free through Canadian court records, property registries, or provincial databases. Many users also discover Intelius charges on their statements weeks after signing up, with no clear cancellation link on the website.
Your consumer rights in canada
Under Canada's Competition Act and provincial consumer protection statutes (such as Ontario's Consumer Protection Act and British Columbia's Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act), you retain the right to cancel subscriptions, demand transparent billing disclosures, and dispute unauthorized or misleading charges. Although Intelius operates from the United States, Canadian consumer authorities and your payment processor (bank or credit card issuer) retain full jurisdiction over billing disputes and chargebacks. If Intelius refuses a legitimate refund claim, you can escalate to your provincial consumer protection office or file a dispute with your financial institution.
Your legal position: Under Canadian consumer protection law, you are entitled to transparent cancellation terms before purchase, clear notice of auto-renewal, and a simple mechanism to cancel. If Intelius fails to provide these, you may have grounds to dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company independently of Intelius's response.
Pricing and billing structure for Intelius
Intelius charges vary by subscription tier, billing cycle, and add-ons; understanding your plan type is essential before attempting cancellation.
| Plan type |
Typical cost (USD) |
Billing cycle |
Cancel by (days before renewal) |
Refund likelihood |
| Monthly subscription |
$27.78-$34.99 |
Monthly auto-renewal |
Before renewal date |
Case-by-case |
| Annual subscription |
$99.99-$149.99 |
Annual auto-renewal |
Before renewal date |
Case-by-case |
| One-time report |
$19.99-$39.99 |
One-time charge |
Before delivery |
Non-refundable post-delivery |
| Premium add-ons |
$5-$50+ |
Per-use or monthly |
Immediately |
Non-refundable |
| Apple App Store subscription |
Variable |
Per App Store terms |
24-48 hours before renewal |
Managed by Apple, not Intelius |
| Google Play subscription |
Variable |
Per Play Store terms |
24-48 hours before renewal |
Managed by Google, not Intelius |
If you subscribed through Apple or Google Play, your cancellation and refund requests are handled by those platforms, not Intelius directly. Log into your App Store or Google Play account and cancel from there first.
Cancellation methods and step-by-step instructions
Intelius offers multiple cancellation routes; the method you use depends on how you signed up and whether you need a refund.
Cancel through your account settings (online method)
This is the fastest route if you can access your Intelius account and do not require an immediate refund.
- Log into your Intelius account at intelius.com using your email and password.
- If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" and reset it via email.
- Navigate to your account settings or subscription management page.
- Look for a menu item labeled "Subscriptions," "Billing," "Account," or "Settings."
- Select your active subscription and click "Cancel subscription" or "End membership."
- Intelius may display a retention offer or discount; you can ignore this and proceed.
- Confirm the cancellation and note the confirmation number, which Intelius will send to your email.
- Save this email as proof of cancellation for your records and any future disputes.
- Verify that no further charges appear on your statement after the current billing cycle ends.
- Check your bank or credit card account 5-7 days after the renewal date to confirm the charge did not post.
Cancel by contacting customer service (support method)
If you cannot access your account or want written confirmation of cancellation, contact Intelius customer service directly.
- Email Intelius support at the address listed on their website or in your account.
- Include your full name, email address on file, account number (if available), and a clear statement: "I wish to cancel my Intelius subscription effective immediately."
- Request written confirmation of the cancellation and ask for the effective date.
- Do not rely on verbal promises; insist on email confirmation before considering the cancellation complete.
- Allow 2-3 business days for a response and monitor your email for confirmation.
- If Intelius does not respond within 3 business days, follow up with another email and reference your original message.
- Once confirmed, verify that your billing cycle is not renewed.
- Set a calendar reminder for your renewal date and check your bank or credit card statement.
Cancel via registered mail (legal evidence method)
If you believe Intelius is ignoring your cancellation requests, or if you require a legal paper trail for a dispute, send cancellation via registered mail with proof of delivery.
- Compose a formal cancellation letter on plain paper or letterhead.
- Include your full name, email address, account number, and the date.
- State clearly: "I hereby cancel my Intelius subscription effective immediately. Please confirm this cancellation in writing."
- Sign and date the letter.
- Obtain Intelius's mailing address for cancellations (typically a Bellevue, Washington P.O. Box for U.S. operations).
- Visit intelius.com or check your account's Terms of Service or billing page for the official cancellation address.
- Send the letter via Canada Post registered mail with a return receipt.
- This provides proof of delivery and creates a timestamped legal record of your cancellation request.
- Keep the registration receipt and return receipt as evidence.
- Allow 5-10 business days for Intelius to receive and process the letter.
- Follow up by email after 10 days if you do not receive written confirmation.
Cancel app-based subscriptions (Apple app store and google play)
If you subscribed to Intelius via Apple or Google, you must cancel through their platforms, not Intelius directly.
- For Apple App Store subscriptions:
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your name at the top, then select "Subscriptions."
- Find and tap Intelius, then tap "Cancel subscription."
- Confirm the cancellation. Apple will email you a confirmation receipt.
- For Google Play subscriptions:
- Open Google Play on your Android device or at play.google.com.
- Tap your profile icon, then navigate to "Subscriptions."
- Select Intelius and tap "Cancel subscription."
- Confirm the cancellation. Google will send you a confirmation email.
- Verify cancellation in your account settings.
- Return to the Subscriptions section within 24 hours to confirm Intelius no longer appears as an active subscription.
Refund eligibility and how to request a refund
Intelius's refund policy is restrictive, but Canadian consumer protection law may override it in certain circumstances.
When Intelius will refund you
Intelius offers refunds in limited cases: if you cancel within a short window after purchase (typically 24-48 hours for monthly subscriptions), or if you can prove the charge was unauthorized or fraudulent. One-time report purchases are non-refundable once delivered. Premium add-ons are almost never refunded.
How to request a refund
- Email Intelius support and clearly state the reason for your refund request.
- If you were charged twice, provide the two transaction dates and amounts.
- If you cancelled but were still charged, include the date you cancelled and the date the charge posted.
- If the charge was unauthorized, state that you did not authorize this subscription.
- Attach or describe evidence of the disputed charge (bank statement excerpt, credit card screenshot, email confirmation).
- Redact sensitive information such as your full card number; showing the last four digits and transaction date is sufficient.
- Request a response within 7 business days and ask for written confirmation of the refund or a clear explanation of denial.
- Intelius is not legally obligated to refund, but they may do so to avoid escalation.
- If Intelius denies your request, escalate to your bank or credit card company.
- File a dispute (also called a "chargeback") within 120 days of the charge.
- Provide your bank with the same evidence you sent to Intelius: proof of the charge, cancellation confirmation, and correspondence with Intelius.
- Your bank will investigate and may reverse the charge in your favour.
If Intelius refuses to refund
You have additional escalation options under Canadian consumer law. Contact your provincial consumer protection office (such as Ontario's Ministry of Government and Consumer Services or British Columbia's Consumer Protection Office) and file a complaint. You can also pursue the matter through small claims court if the amount is under your province's limit (typically $30,000 CAD). Yafee's legal resources guide you through each option so you understand your leverage before escalating.
Common mistakes when cancelling Intelius
Cancellation failures are preventable; most stem from simple oversights rather than deliberate refusal by Intelius.
- Not saving cancellation confirmation: Always save or screenshot the confirmation email from Intelius. If a charge appears after cancellation, this proof is your first line of evidence in a dispute.
- Cancelling too close to the renewal date: Cancel at least 3-5 days before your renewal date to allow Intelius time to process the request. If you cancel the day of renewal, the charge may post before the cancellation takes effect.
- Assuming account deletion equals subscription cancellation: Deleting your Intelius account does not automatically cancel your subscription. You must explicitly cancel the subscription first.
- Relying on App Store/Play Store cancellation without checking Intelius: If you signed up both on the app and directly on the website, you may have two separate subscriptions. Cancel both.
- Ignoring the payment processor: If Intelius ignores your cancellation request, your bank or credit card company can often resolve it faster than negotiating directly with Intelius.
- Forgetting to monitor your next statement: Confirm that the next billing cycle does not charge you. Verification is your responsibility; do not assume silence means success.
What happens after you cancel Intelius
Once cancellation is confirmed, your access and billing obligations cease on the specified date.
Account access after cancellation
You will lose access to your Intelius account and reports once your billing cycle ends. If you paid for an annual subscription and cancel midway through, you typically do not regain access to purchased reports, though Intelius may allow you to download or export information before the cancellation takes effect. Contact support if you need to retrieve data before your access closes.
Ensuring no future charges
Check your bank or credit card statement 5-7 days after your renewal date to confirm no charge posted. If a charge appears after you cancelled, contact your bank immediately to report unauthorized billing and request a chargeback. Keep your cancellation confirmation email as evidence.
Monitoring for related charges
If you used the same email or payment method to sign up for other Intelius products or premium add-ons, verify those are also cancelled. Intelius may operate separate billing lines for reports, background checks, and trial offers; cancelling one does not cancel the others.
When to escalate your cancellation to canadian authorities
If Intelius refuses to cancel, denies a refund you believe is justified, or continues charging after your cancellation request, you have formal legal channels available in Canada.
File a complaint with your provincial consumer protection office
Every Canadian province has a consumer protection authority. For example, Ontario has the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, and British Columbia has the Consumer Protection Office. These agencies investigate billing disputes and unauthorized charges against companies that advertise or operate in Canada, even if the company is U.S.-based. File a formal complaint by providing your cancellation correspondence, billing evidence, and Intelius's responses (or lack thereof). The authority will contact Intelius on your behalf and may compel a refund or cancellation.
Dispute the charge through your bank
Your bank or credit card issuer has a legal obligation under Canadian and international payment card rules to investigate disputed charges within 120 days of the transaction. Initiate a chargeback by calling your bank's dispute line or visiting your online banking portal. Provide the charge date, amount, account number (the last four digits of your card), and a brief description of the dispute (e.g., "Unauthorized recurring charge after cancellation request" or "Duplicate billing"). Attach your cancellation confirmation and any correspondence with Intelius. Your bank will contact Intelius, and if Intelius cannot prove the charge was authorized and delivered as promised, your bank will typically reverse it.
Pursue a small claims action
If the amount in dispute is below your province's small claims court limit (typically $30,000 CAD), you can file a claim against Intelius in small claims court. This is a formal legal proceeding, but you do not need a lawyer. File the claim at your local courthouse, pay a filing fee (typically $100-$300 CAD), and serve Intelius with the claim. Many companies settle rather than defend a small claims action. Yafee provides templates and guidance for preparing your evidence so you enter the courtroom confident and organized.
Comparison: should you cancel Intelius or keep it?
Before you cancel, weigh the value you receive against the cost and any refund prospects.
| Factor |
Keep Intelius |
Cancel Intelius |
| Cost is low and you use it regularly |
Keep it; the monthly cost is modest if reports provide value. |
N/A |
| You've completed your background check or search |
N/A |
Cancel immediately; no ongoing need. |
| Charge is unexpected or duplicate |
N/A |
Cancel and request refund or chargeback. |
| Free Canadian alternatives exist |
N/A |
Cancel and use provincial court records or property databases. |
| You're within 48 hours of purchase |
N/A |
Cancel for best refund likelihood. |
| Billing is transparent and you're satisfied |
Keep it if value justifies cost. |
N/A |
Cancellation checklist for Intelius
Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and documented.
- [ ] Identify your subscription type (monthly, annual, app-based, or one-time report).
- [ ] Log into your Intelius account or locate your confirmation email from signup.
- [ ] Note your renewal date and ensure you cancel at least 3-5 days before it.
- [ ] Choose your cancellation method: online account settings, email support, or registered mail.
- [ ] Submit your cancellation request and receive written confirmation within 2-3 business days.
- [ ] Save the confirmation email with the effective cancellation date clearly stated.
- [ ] Request a refund if you believe you qualify (within 48 hours of purchase, duplicate charge, unauthorized billing).
- [ ] If Intelius denies your refund, file a chargeback with your bank within 120 days.
- [ ] Monitor your bank or credit card statement for 5-7 days after your renewal date to confirm no charge posts.
- [ ] If an unauthorized charge appears, contact your bank and file a formal dispute immediately.
- [ ] If Intelius continues to bill, escalate to your provincial consumer protection office.
Intelius customer service is reachable via email through their website's support portal. The specific address is listed in your account settings or in the Terms of Service. For cancellations that require legal documentation, send correspondence via registered mail to Intelius's cancellation address, typically located in Bellevue, Washington. Confirm the mailing address on their website before sending, as it may change.
Cancelling Intelius in Canada is straightforward once you understand your rights under the Competition Act and provincial consumer protection laws. Whether you cancel online, by email, or via registered mail, always obtain written confirmation and monitor your billing to ensure the subscription does not renew. If Intelius refuses to cancel or continues charging after your request, your bank and provincial consumer authorities are equipped to enforce your rights. Yafee has helped thousands of Canadian consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover unauthorized charges, and navigate refund disputes with confidence. Visit Yafee.com today to explore your full range of consumer protection options and connect with verified legal resources in your province.