How to cancel Intelius and end unwanted charges before your next billing cycle
What is Intelius and why customers sign up
Intelius is a U.S.-based people-search platform that aggregates publicly available records into searchable background-check reports. The company compiles data on names, addresses, phone numbers, criminal history summaries, and related public filings from state and federal databases. You can use Intelius to run reverse phone lookups, verify residential addresses, access background summaries, and download individual reports for a fee. The service operates on a subscription model featuring trial offers as low as $0.95, monthly recurring memberships, and optional add-ons for identity monitoring.
Core features and what your subscription includes
Intelius gives you access to searchable reports displaying address histories, associated phone numbers, criminal record summaries, and selected public court filings. The platform frequently advertises discounted trial periods that automatically upgrade to full-price recurring membership unless you cancel before the trial window closes. You can purchase individual reports for an additional fee, and the company offers an identity-protection add-on as a standalone paid service. Data accuracy and completeness vary based on record type and geographic location; many users report inconsistent or outdated results.
Pricing breakdown and trial structure
Intelius pricing fluctuates across promotional windows. The table below reflects typical current plan structures.
| Plan type |
Trial offer |
Monthly cost |
What you get |
| People search basic |
No trial |
$24-$26 |
Unlimited person and address reports |
| Address and people lookup |
$0.95 (limited time) |
$29-$35 |
Unlimited address and person searches |
| Reverse phone plus people search |
$0.95 (limited time) |
$34-$35 |
Unlimited phone, person, and address reports |
| Identity protect add-on |
Not available |
~$9.95 |
Identity monitoring and limited fraud insurance |
Trial conversions to full-price recurring charges occur automatically if you do not cancel before the specified expiration date. For current plan details, contact Intelius directly or review recent customer feedback on independent review platforms.
Common reasons why subscribers cancel Intelius
Most cancellation requests stem from three core issues: unexpected recurring charges, inaccurate search results, or diminished service value.
Unexpected charges and billing surprises
Many subscribers report surprise charges appearing on their credit card or bank statement months after trial signup. You may have overlooked the trial expiration date, or the company's conversion terms were unclear during enrollment. Trial-to-paid conversions happen silently; if you miss the cancellation window, your card processes the full monthly rate automatically. Yafee recommends calendar marking your trial end date immediately upon signup to prevent this common trap.
Inaccurate or outdated search results
Some customers cancel because reports contain incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate information. Address histories may be years old; criminal records may reflect cases that have been expunged; phone numbers may belong to previous owners. The value proposition deteriorates when results do not match your actual needs or contain false positives that waste your time verifying accuracy.
Free or cheaper alternatives meeting your needs
You may discover that free databases, public records searches, Google, social media, or specialized tools deliver equivalent information without recurring charges. Budget-conscious users frequently decide the monthly subscription no longer justifies occasional lookups, especially if search volume has declined over time.
Your consumer rights and legal framework for cancellation
Federal consumer protection law establishes your right to cancel subscriptions and obtain refunds in specific circumstances.
Federal legal protections under the restore online shoppers confidence act
The Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act (ROSCA), enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), prohibits negative-option billing (recurring charges) unless you explicitly consent in a clear and conspicuous manner before your first charge. You have the right to cancel recurring charges at any time using the same method by which you enrolled. Furthermore, if Intelius converted your trial to a paid plan without clear, unambiguous disclosure of the charges, cancellation date, and simple cancellation mechanism, your charges may violate ROSCA. The FTC enforces this statute; if Intelius refuses to honor your cancellation request, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Your legal position
You possess the right to cancel your Intelius subscription at any time under ROSCA and applicable state consumer protection statutes. If charges appeared on your account without explicit prior authorization, or if you cannot locate a simple, non-punitive cancellation mechanism, Intelius is in violation of federal law. In such cases, you may request a full refund of all charges incurred without authorization. Yafee advises documenting all communications regarding your cancellation and retaining copies of your account statements showing unauthorized charges.
State-level consumer protection
Many states impose additional protections beyond ROSCA. For example, California's Consumer Legal Remedies Act and similar statutes in New York, Illinois, and other states require conspicuous disclosure of material terms, automatic renewal language, and simple cancellation procedures. You may have grounds for a refund if Intelius violated these requirements. Yafee recommends reviewing your state's attorney general website for specific renewal law guidance.
How to cancel Intelius using three primary methods
You have multiple cancellation routes; the method you choose depends on your account history and communication preference.
Method one: cancel online through your account dashboard
The fastest cancellation path is through your Intelius account portal if your account remains active.
- Visit intelius.com and log in using your email address and password.
- If you cannot locate your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page.
- Navigate to your account settings or subscription management section.
- Look for tabs labeled "Billing," "Subscription," "Manage Account," or "Account Settings."
- Locate the "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Subscription" button.
- Some accounts display this under a "Recurring Charges" or "Auto-Renewal" section.
- Click the cancellation option and confirm your request.
- You may see a retention offer or survey; you can decline and proceed with cancellation.
- Retain the cancellation confirmation email or screenshot showing your request was processed.
- The confirmation should include a reference number, cancellation date, and confirmation that no further charges will occur.
Method two: contact customer service by telephone or email
If you cannot locate the online cancellation button or your account is inaccessible, reach out to Intelius customer support directly.
- Locate Intelius customer service contact information on their official website or your account statement.
- Typically found in the footer, help section, or on your billing email.
- Call the customer service phone number or send an email to the support address.
- State clearly: "I request immediate cancellation of my subscription effective today."
- Provide your full name, email address, phone number on file, and any account reference number.
- If speaking by phone, ask the representative to confirm the cancellation date and whether any charges will be processed after cancellation.
- Request a confirmation number and the representative's name for your records.
- If canceling by email, use a method that provides proof of delivery (certified email or read receipt).
- Include your request in writing and request written confirmation of cancellation.
- Follow up within 48 hours if you do not receive written confirmation.
- Escalate the request to a supervisor if the initial support representative is unresponsive.
Method three: cancel by mail with official notification
If online and phone methods fail, send a formal written cancellation notice to Intelius corporate office. This creates a paper trail and demonstrates good-faith effort to comply with your cancellation request.
- Compose a letter or email containing the following details:
- Your full name as it appears on the account.
- The email address associated with your Intelius account.
- Your billing phone number and any reference or customer ID number.
- The last four digits of the credit card or bank account used for billing.
- A clear statement: "I request immediate cancellation of my Intelius subscription effective upon receipt of this notice. No further charges should be processed to my account."
- Today's date and your signature.
- Send via certified mail with return receipt to the Intelius corporate address:
- Intelius, LLC, 501 W. Broadway Street, Suite 800, San Diego, CA 92101, Attn: Customer Service.
- Request written confirmation of cancellation from Intelius within 10 business days.
- Keep the delivery receipt as proof of mailing.
- Monitor your bank account or credit card for any charges after your cancellation date.
- If charges continue, contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the transaction as unauthorized.
What happens after you cancel and how to obtain a refund
Understanding the post-cancellation timeline protects you from surprise charges and ensures you receive a full refund if warranted.
Timeline for charge cessation and account access
Once Intelius processes your cancellation, no new recurring charges should appear on your account. However, charges submitted before your cancellation effective date may still process. You typically lose access to premium search features immediately or at the end of your current billing cycle, depending on Intelius policy. Yafee advises checking your account the day after cancellation to confirm access restriction and verifying your next billing date no longer appears.
Requesting a refund for unauthorized or erroneous charges
If you were charged after requesting cancellation, or if your trial-to-paid conversion violated federal law, you have grounds to request a refund.
- Contact Intelius customer service in writing (certified mail or email with delivery confirmation).
- State: "I canceled my subscription on [date] and request a full refund of charges processed after this date: [list charge dates and amounts]."
- Attach copies of your cancellation confirmation and disputed charge statements.
- If Intelius denies your refund request, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-438-4338.
- Include copies of all correspondence, account statements, and proof of cancellation notification.
- Alternatively, dispute the charges through your credit card issuer or bank.
- Contact your financial institution and request a chargeback for unauthorized recurring charges.
- Provide documentation of your cancellation request and proof that charges continued after the effective date.
- Document all communication with Intelius, the FTC, and your financial institution.
- Retain copies of emails, call logs, and confirmation numbers.
Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them
Most subscribers successfully cancel Intelius; however, certain errors delay the process or fail to produce the desired outcome. Taking deliberate steps now prevents frustration later.
Mistake one: canceling without documentation
Never cancel verbally over the phone without obtaining written confirmation. Representative promises mean nothing if disputes arise later. Always request and retain a confirmation number, cancellation effective date, and a follow-up email confirming no further charges will occur. Yafee strongly recommends screenshotting online cancellations and saving all confirmation emails for at least one year.
Mistake two: failing to verify cancellation on your next billing cycle
Do not assume your subscription has ended simply because you submitted a cancellation request. Log into your account or monitor your bank statement on the date charges were scheduled. If a charge appears after your cancellation date, dispute it immediately with your bank rather than waiting to resolve it with Intelius customer service.
Mistake three: deleting confirmation emails prematurely
Retain all Intelius communications, billing statements, and cancellation confirmations for a minimum of one year. If you need to prove unauthorized charges to your bank or the FTC, these documents provide irrefutable evidence. Store them in a separate email folder or backup them to cloud storage.
Mistake four: ignoring retention offers or hidden cancellation barriers
Some customer service representatives may offer discounts or trial extensions to prevent cancellation. Decline these offers and restate your intention to cancel immediately. If the company refuses to cancel or imposes unreasonable conditions, escalate to a supervisor and cite your ROSCA protections. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers navigate these retention tactics and secure immediate cancellation.
Checklist for successful Intelius cancellation
Use this step-by-step verification list to ensure your cancellation request is processed correctly and completely.
| Task |
Status |
Due date |
| Gather account information |
Email, phone, billing address, last four digits of payment method |
Today |
| Choose cancellation method |
Online, phone, or certified mail |
Today |
| Submit cancellation request |
Confirmation number obtained |
Today |
| Retain confirmation |
Email, screenshot, or certified mail receipt saved |
Today |
| Monitor next billing cycle |
Verify no charges appear on statement |
Within 5-7 days |
| Dispute unauthorized charges |
File chargeback with bank or FTC complaint if needed |
Within 30-60 days |
You can reach Intelius through the following official channels to initiate or confirm your cancellation request.
Official corporate mailing address
Intelius, LLC
501 W. Broadway Street, Suite 800
San Diego, CA 92101
Attn: Customer Service or Privacy
Additional contact methods
Visit intelius.com and navigate to the Help, Support, or Contact section for current phone numbers and email addresses. Customer service details also appear on your account billing statement or trial confirmation email. When contacting Intelius, reference your account email address and the specific dates of any disputed charges.
Key takeaways and next steps
Canceling Intelius is straightforward when you follow proper procedures and document every step. Your rights under the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act entitle you to cancel recurring charges at any time without penalty or unreasonable barriers. If Intelius charged you without clear authorization or refused your cancellation request, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unauthorized charges by applying these legal frameworks and procedural steps. Start your cancellation today using Method One (online dashboard), verify the process within 48 hours, and monitor your bank statement through the next billing cycle to confirm success. If you encounter resistance, escalate to the FTC and dispute unauthorized charges through your bank. Your consumer protection rights are ironclad; use them.