What Is Intelius?
Intelius is a people-search and public records aggregation website founded in 2003. It claims to help users find information such as phone numbers, addresses, criminal records, and background details about individuals in the United States.
The service sources data from public databases, including:
- County and state court records
- Property ownership files
- Professional licenses
- Social media profiles
- Marketing and consumer databases
“Intelius aggregates publicly available data to create detailed reports about individuals—reports that can contain both accurate and outdated information.” — Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
While many users find Intelius convenient for reconnecting with old friends or verifying someone’s identity, others question its accuracy, transparency, and data handling practices.
Why People Ask: “Is Intelius Legit?”
Search queries like is Intelius safe, is Intelius accurate, or is Intelius a scam are common because people often feel uneasy about data collection and privacy.
Here’s why users are skeptical:
- Unclear Data Sources: Many don’t understand where Intelius gets its information.
- Accuracy Issues: Reports can contain outdated, mixed, or incorrect data.
- Privacy Concerns: Users fear that their own personal data is available to strangers.
- Subscription Complaints: Some users report being charged after trial periods.
Let’s explore each of these factors in more depth.
How Intelius Works
When you search for someone’s name on Intelius, the platform compiles a profile report using various data sources. These can include:
- Public court records (criminal, civil, and traffic)
- Property and real estate databases
- Phone directory records
- Social media accounts
- Voting registration information
The Process
- You search by name, city, or phone number.
- Intelius scans hundreds of public databases.
- It delivers a summary that may include:
- Known addresses
- Family members or associates
- Employment history
- Educational background
- Possible criminal records
Example Output (Simplified Code Block)
Name: John Doe
Age: 38
Previous Addresses: Dallas, TX; Phoenix, AZ
Phone Numbers: (555) 123-4567
Relatives: Jane Doe, Sarah Smith
Criminal Records: None found
Is Intelius Accurate?
Accuracy is one of the main concerns surrounding Intelius.
What Affects Accuracy:
- Data freshness: Records may not be updated in real time.
- Name confusion: Common names can lead to mismatched data.
- Public record delays: Some states take months to publish new data.
Real User Feedback (Summarized)
- Many users find Intelius useful for basic contact info.
- Others report incorrect addresses or incomplete background results.
While Intelius is not a scam, its accuracy depends heavily on the quality of the underlying public data sources.
“Any platform that relies on public records is prone to inaccuracies—these aren’t curated or verified like credit reports.” — Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Is Intelius Safe to Use?
From a security standpoint, Intelius uses SSL encryption to protect user searches and payments. The site’s checkout process is similar to other verified e-commerce systems.
However, users should be cautious about:
- Providing unnecessary personal information during sign-up.
- Entering sensitive data (like Social Security Numbers), which Intelius doesn’t typically require.
- Accidental subscription renewals, which can occur if you forget to cancel trials.
If you’re using Intelius to perform background checks, understand that the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) restricts how these reports can be used. For example, you cannot legally use Intelius reports for:
- Employment screening
- Tenant applications
- Insurance eligibility
Learn more about this at the Federal Trade Commission’s website.
How Intelius Makes Money
Intelius uses a subscription-based business model. Users can:
- Pay for single reports, or
- Subscribe monthly for unlimited searches
Common Plans
| Plan Type | Description | Approximate Price |
|---|---|---|
| People Search | Basic info on individuals | $0.95 – $1.99 trial |
| Background Report | More detailed data | $19.95+ per report |
| Subscription | Monthly unlimited access | Around $24.86/month |
The trial plans are often where confusion occurs. Users may not realize the trial auto-renews unless canceled within a few days.
Tip: Always read the terms of service before purchasing.
Privacy Concerns with Intelius
Perhaps the biggest question isn’t “Is Intelius legit?” but rather “Is Intelius ethical?”
Because Intelius collects and sells personal information, it raises significant privacy issues.
Types of Data Intelius May List About You:
- Full name and aliases
- Home address history
- Phone numbers (past and current)
- Email addresses
- Known relatives and associates
- Court records and property ownership
This information can be publicly viewable to anyone willing to pay for it, creating a potential privacy and safety risk.
“Public records were never meant to be aggregated into massive databases accessible to anyone. It turns personal data into a commodity.” — Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
If you’ve ever searched your own name on Intelius, you might have been shocked to see how much is publicly available.
How to Remove Your Information from Intelius
Fortunately, you have the right to opt out and remove your personal information from Intelius databases.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to the Intelius Opt-Out Page
Visit https://www.intelius.com/opt-out.
Step 2: Search for Your Listing
Enter your name and location to locate your personal data profile.
Step 3: Select Your Record and Verify
Click on your profile and confirm that you’re the rightful owner of that information.
Step 4: Submit Your Opt-Out Request
Provide an email for verification. Confirm the opt-out link sent to your inbox.
Within 72 hours, your data should be suppressed from public results.
Optional: Submit a Privacy Request by Mail
If you prefer a physical method:
Intelius Privacy Department
1023 112th Street SE, Suite 200
Everett, WA 98208
Be sure to include:
- Your full name
- Address
- The URL of your Intelius listing
- A note requesting removal under privacy law
Remove Online Information Can Handle It for You
Managing opt-outs manually from hundreds of data brokers like Intelius is time-consuming.
Remove Online Information specializes in data removal and online privacy protection.
Their team can:
- Remove your information from Intelius, BeenVerified, Spokeo, and 200+ other sites.
- Monitor data reappearances.
- File removal requests automatically.
- Protect your identity across the internet.
👉 Contact Remove Online Information to erase your personal data and prevent it from resurfacing.
“Deleting one record isn’t enough—true privacy means removing your data from every source that republishes it.”
Legal Framework Protecting Consumers
Understanding your rights is key to maintaining privacy.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Intelius is not a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) and is not bound by the same standards as credit bureaus. However, it still must comply with federal laws on data transparency.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
If you live in California, you can request to:
- Know what data Intelius holds on you
- Delete your personal information
- Opt out of data selling
Learn more at oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
For EU citizens, the GDPR grants a “Right to Be Forgotten.” While Intelius primarily serves U.S. data, international residents can still file removal requests if their data appears.
Pros and Cons of Using Intelius
Pros
✅ Provides quick access to public data
✅ Helps locate lost connections
✅ Offers reverse phone lookup and background info
✅ Secure payment system
Cons
❌ Inaccurate or outdated data
❌ Auto-renewal complaints
❌ Exposes private info
❌ Not suitable for FCRA-regulated purposes
Verdict:
Intelius is legit, but not ideal for privacy-conscious users.
Alternatives to Intelius (Informational Only)
While we won’t promote specific services, it’s worth noting that other people-search tools exist. However, nearly all of them operate on the same principle—scraping public records and reselling user data.
The best alternative is to remove yourself from these databases entirely, ensuring that no company profits off your personal information.
Visit Remove Online Information’s Blog for guides on opting out of:
- Spokeo
- PeopleFinders
- USSearch
- Whitepages
Protecting Your Data After Opting Out
Once your Intelius data is removed, consider taking additional privacy measures.
1. Delete Old Accounts
Use tools like JustDelete.me to find deletion links for old accounts.
Avoid listing your phone number, email, or location on social media.
3. Use a VPN
Virtual Private Networks hide your browsing activity and location.
4. Monitor Your Personal Information
Regularly Google your name and review what appears in search results.
5. Partner with Remove Online Information
They provide continuous privacy monitoring to ensure deleted data stays gone.
Is Intelius Legal?
Yes—Intelius operates legally under U.S. public record laws. It doesn’t hack or steal information; it aggregates data from open public sources.
However, its legality doesn’t eliminate the ethical debate surrounding personal privacy.
“Legality doesn’t always equal morality—data brokerage is legal but often invasive.” — Privacy International
Users have the right to control how their personal data is shared, even if that data originates from public records.
Real-World Implications of Public Data Exposure
If your information appears on Intelius or similar websites, it can lead to:
- Identity theft attempts
- Stalking or harassment
- Unsolicited marketing calls
- Phishing scams
Protecting your data isn’t just about convenience—it’s about safety.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No. Intelius is a legitimate public record search site, but users should be cautious about accuracy and recurring subscriptions.
No. Intelius is not FCRA-compliant and cannot be used for employment or tenant screening.
Visit the Intelius opt-out page and submit a removal request.
Intelius shares information with partners, which may resell it.
Yes, Intelius uses encrypted transactions for purchases.
Cached pages take time to update. Submit removal requests through Google’s Remove Outdated Content Tool.
Key Takeaways
- Intelius is a legitimate company, but not always accurate or privacy-friendly.
- It gathers public data, which can be outdated or incorrect.
- You can opt out through the official Intelius Opt-Out Page.
- Protecting your privacy requires continuous monitoring and multi-platform removal.
- Remove Online Information can handle data removal and provide long-term privacy protection.
“Your data is your property—take control of it before someone else does.” — Remove Online Information
Works Cited
Federal Trade Commission. Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). FTC.gov, https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/fair-credit-reporting-act.
Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC). Data Brokers and Online Privacy. EPIC.org, https://epic.org/issues/consumer-privacy/data-brokers/.
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. Understanding Data Aggregation and Your Rights. PrivacyRights.org.
California Department of Justice. California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa.
Fandom Privacy Policy. Intelius Privacy Policy. Intelius.com/legal/privacy.