Cancel Intelius: The Right Way

How to cancel Intelius and stop unwanted background-check charges

Why you should cancel Intelius

Most subscribers reach out to cancel Intelius for one clear reason: unexpected recurring charges on their bank statement. You may have signed up for a discounted trial-sometimes as low as $0.95-only to discover that the company automatically converted your account to a full-price monthly plan without a clear reminder. This is one of the most common pain points Tocancel hears from frustrated customers.

Common reasons subscribers cancel

Surprise charges are the primary driver. You signed up for a limited-time trial that converted automatically to a paid $24 to $35 monthly membership unless you cancelled before the conversion date. Many customers report that the trial expiration terms were buried in fine print or delivered via email they missed entirely.

Inaccuracy and outdated data are the second major complaint. Search results frequently contain stale address histories, missing contact information, or completely incorrect person matches. If you rely on these reports for legitimate purposes-tenant screening, employment verification, or personal background checks-unreliable data defeats the entire value proposition.

You may also have simply moved on. After an initial curiosity lookup or two, many subscribers realise they do not actually need ongoing access to people-search reports. Free alternatives like Google, public records databases, and social media often deliver the same information without a recurring subscription cost.

Red flags that signal it is time to stop

You notice recurring monthly charges you do not recognise or do not remember authorizing. The reports you receive are incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. You have not used the service in 30 to 60 days or longer. You signed up during a promotional period and the trial converted to a paid plan automatically. Your bank or credit card issuer flagged the Intelius charges as suspicious activity.

Any one of these red flags is reason enough to cancel immediately and prevent further charges.

Understand your consumer rights before you cancel

You have strong legal protections when cancelling a subscription service in the United States. Here is what the law guarantees you.

Your legal position under the negative option rule

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the Negative Option Rule, which directly governs how companies like Intelius market and bill trial offers. Under this rule, Intelius must obtain your express informed consent before charging you for any trial conversion. They must also provide clear, conspicuous disclosure of all material terms-including the amount of the recurring charge, the frequency of billing, and the date your trial expires.

In practice, this means Intelius cannot hide conversion terms in dense legal text or assume you agreed to charges simply because you clicked "Accept." The FTC takes enforcement seriously. If you can demonstrate that Intelius failed to disclose material billing terms clearly or made it unreasonably difficult to cancel, you have grounds to dispute the charge and recover unauthorized payments.

Your right to cancel and obtain a refund

You have the absolute right to cancel your Intelius subscription at any time, for any reason, without penalty. You also have the right to request a refund for unauthorized charges or charges incurred during a trial period if Intelius did not meet FTC disclosure standards. Many consumers do not realise they can dispute these charges with their bank or credit card issuer if Intelius does not honour a refund request voluntarily.

Tocancel recommends documenting your cancellation request in writing (preferably by mail or email) so you have proof the company received your request and the date you submitted it. This protects you if billing disputes arise later.

How to cancel Intelius: three direct methods

Intelius offers multiple cancellation pathways. Here are the three most reliable approaches, ordered by likelihood of success.

Method 1: mailed written request (most documented)

Sending a formal written cancellation request via certified mail to Intelius's corporate office creates an official paper trail. This method is slower but gives you the strongest proof that you sent the request and when.

1. Gather your account information: your full name, email address, billing phone number, and the credit card or bank account number used for the subscription.
2. Write a brief, clear cancellation letter. Include the phrase "Please cancel my Intelius subscription and all associated services effective immediately." Specify your account details and request written confirmation of the cancellation.
3. Address the envelope to:
   • Intelius, LLC
   • 501 W. Broadway St., Suite 800
   • San Diego, CA 92101
   • Attn: Privacy or Customer Service
4. Send the letter via certified mail with return receipt requested. This costs approximately $8 to $12 and provides proof of delivery.
5. Keep a copy of your letter and the certified mail receipt for your records.
6. Expect a response within 5 to 7 business days. If you do not receive written confirmation within that timeframe, follow up with a second letter or escalate to the FTC (see "Escalation" section below).

Mailed requests are slower but create a documented trail that protects you if you later need to dispute unauthorized charges.

Method 2: email request (fastest response)

If you need faster confirmation, sending an email directly to Intelius's customer service or privacy department may yield results within 24 to 48 hours.

1. Visit Intelius.com and locate their "Contact Us" page or customer support email address. Look for a privacy department email or customer service contact.
2. Compose an email with the subject line "Subscription Cancellation Request" and include your full name, email address, billing phone number, and account details.
3. Write a clear, firm message: "I request immediate cancellation of my Intelius subscription. Please confirm this cancellation in writing within 48 hours and provide the cancellation date."
4. Send the email and save a copy in a folder marked "Intelius Cancellation."
5. Monitor your inbox for a response. If you do not hear back within two business days, escalate via certified mail or contact Tocancel for additional guidance.

Email creates a time-stamped digital record and often triggers faster responses than mail, though it is slightly less legally formal.

Method 3: phone cancellation (immediate but unrecorded)

If Intelius publishes a customer service phone line, you can call to request cancellation. Be aware that phone cancellations lack a paper trail, so this method is riskier if disputes arise later.

1. Call Intelius customer service during business hours and request to speak with a cancellation or account specialist.
2. Have your account details ready: full name, email, phone number, and billing information.
3. Clearly state: "I want to cancel my subscription effective immediately. Please confirm the cancellation date and send written confirmation to my email address within 24 hours."
4. Take detailed notes during the call: date, time, agent name (if provided), and everything they tell you.
5. Follow up immediately with an email confirming what the agent told you: "Per our call today at [time] with [agent name], I understand my Intelius subscription is cancelled as of [date]. Please confirm receipt of this email."

Phone cancellations are fast but should always be followed up with written confirmation via email or mail to create a documented record.

Refunds and what to expect after cancellation

Refund eligibility depends on when you cancel and whether you have grounds under FTC rules.

Refund timelines and your rights

If you cancel before your trial period ends, Intelius should not charge you at all. If you cancel after the trial converts to a paid monthly plan, you are generally entitled to a refund only if you initiated the cancellation within the first 30 days of the paid subscription. Many companies extend this window if you dispute unauthorized charges.

If Intelius failed to disclose trial conversion terms clearly or made cancellation unreasonably difficult, you have a stronger case for a full refund under FTC Negative Option Rule enforcement. Document any evidence: screenshots of the signup page, emails with unclear cancellation instructions, or bank statements showing unexpected charges.

How to request a refund

Include a refund request in your cancellation letter or email. Use language like: "I am cancelling my subscription and request a full refund of all charges incurred after [trial end date] because your disclosure of billing terms did not meet FTC standards." If Intelius denies the refund, contact your bank or credit card issuer and initiate a chargeback dispute, citing unauthorized billing.

Tocancel advises keeping all evidence: signup receipts, promotional emails, billing statements, and copies of your cancellation requests. This documentation strengthens your position in any refund dispute.

Pricing breakdown and plan comparison

Understanding Intelius's pricing structure helps you estimate how much you might recover in a refund claim.

The most commonly subscribed plan is the "Address and people lookup" option, which advertises a $0.95 trial and converts to $29 to $35 monthly. Many customers report being charged the full monthly rate just days after the trial period ends, sometimes without clear email notification.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

Cancellation seems straightforward, but small missteps can delay your request or leave you vulnerable to continued charges. Here are the pitfalls Tocancel warns subscribers about most often.

Mistake 1: relying on phone cancellation alone

You call, the agent confirms the cancellation, and you hang up feeling relieved. But without written confirmation, Intelius can later claim the cancellation request was never received or was lost in their system. Always follow up phone calls with an email or mail confirmation.

Mistake 2: cancelling your card instead of the subscription

Some frustrated customers ask their bank to block charges from Intelius rather than officially cancelling the subscription. While this stops the bleeding, it does not formally end your account. Intelius may attempt to re-bill you using updated payment information, report the missed payment to credit agencies, or claim the account is still active and owed. Cancel the subscription directly, not just the payment method.

Mistake 3: missing the trial conversion deadline

If you signed up for a trial, mark the conversion date on your calendar or phone. Set a reminder for one day before the conversion date so you have time to cancel if you do not want the paid plan. Intelius will charge you automatically on the conversion date unless you act first.

Mistake 4: not disputing unauthorized charges immediately

If charges appear on your statement that you did not authorize, contact your bank or credit card issuer within 60 days of the charge appearing on your statement. Most payment processors offer strong chargeback protections for unauthorized subscription billing. Waiting longer may forfeit your legal right to dispute the charge.

Mistake 5: ignoring refund denial and moving on

If Intelius refuses your refund request, do not accept that as the final answer. Escalate to your bank, file a complaint with the FTC (see below), and continue to document your case. Many consumers recover unauthorized charges through persistence and proper documentation.

Escalation and regulatory enforcement

If Intelius ignores your cancellation request or refuses a refund without justification, you have regulatory remedies available.

Step 1: formal complaint to the FTC

File a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Describe your subscription history, the trial conversion terms you were shown, and Intelius's failure to honour your cancellation request or refund claim. Include copies of all emails, receipts, and bank statements. The FTC tracks patterns across thousands of complaints and can initiate enforcement action against companies that systematically violate the Negative Option Rule.

Step 2: chargeback with your bank or credit card issuer

Contact your payment processor (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or your bank) and initiate a formal dispute or chargeback. Explain that Intelius charged you without clear disclosure of conversion terms or failed to honour your cancellation request. Provide your documented cancellation request and all evidence. Your bank will contact Intelius directly and either reverse the charge or ask for their rebuttal. Most chargeback cases favour the consumer when documentation is solid.

Step 3: state attorney general complaint

Every state attorney general has a consumer protection division. You can file a complaint about unfair or deceptive practices by Intelius through your state's official AG website. If your state receives multiple complaints about the same company, the AG may open an investigation or take legal action.

Tocancel emphasises that you do not need a lawyer to take these steps. They are designed to be consumer-friendly and free to use.

What to do after cancellation

Once Intelius confirms your cancellation, take a few final steps to protect yourself and ensure the charge does not reappear.

Verification and follow-up

Save the cancellation confirmation email or letter you receive from Intelius. Do not delete it. Check your bank or credit card statement for the next two to three billing cycles to confirm that no further Intelius charges appear. If a charge does appear after cancellation, contact your bank immediately with proof of your cancellation request.

Monitor your credit report

If the billing dispute escalates or your bank initiates a chargeback, it may appear on your credit report temporarily. Check your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com (the official free site) to verify that Intelius did not report the account as delinquent or unpaid.

Block future marketing

Intelius may continue to send promotional emails or direct mail even after cancellation. You can request removal from their marketing lists by replying "UNSUBSCRIBE" to any marketing email or by sending a separate email to their privacy team asking to be removed from all promotional communications.

Checklist: your path to a successful Intelius cancellation

Use this checklist to stay organised and ensure you complete every critical step.

Contact information and next steps

You now have the knowledge and tools to cancel Intelius confidently. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unauthorized charges. Your rights are real, enforceable, and designed to protect you from deceptive billing practices.

Send your cancellation request to Intelius at the address below. Include your account details, a clear cancellation statement, and a request for written confirmation.

Intelius, LLC
501 W. Broadway St., Suite 800
San Diego, CA 92101
Attn: Privacy or Customer Service

If you need step-by-step guidance, want to report your experience, or need help drafting your cancellation letter, visit Tocancel.com. Our consumer rights team has reviewed thousands of cancellation cases and can walk you through each option. Tocancel's mission is to empower you to take action, understand your rights, and recover unauthorized charges. Do not accept surprise billing as inevitable. You have the law on your side, and Tocancel is here to support you every step of the way.