Is Intelius Legit and Safe? Detailed Review

Intelius is a service that helps you find information about people using public records. Think of it as a tool for tracking down old friends, researching someone’s background, or checking unknown phone numbers. With features like background checks, reverse phone lookup, and address searches, it pulls data from public sources to give you detailed reports. While it’s a subscription-based service, many find it useful for getting quick answers. Plus, they offer privacy tools to opt out if you’d rather not have your info listed. It’s user-friendly, trustworthy, and designed to give you peace of mind while searching for details.

Navigating the world of online background checks can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure which services to trust. If you’ve stumbled across Intelius, you might be asking, “Is Intelius legit and safe?” Well, here’s a comprehensive look at the platform, how it works, its features, and everything you need to know before using it.

By the end of this review, you’ll have all the information you need to decide if Intelius is a legitimate and safe option for your needs. Let’s break it all down step by step.

What Does “Legit” and “Safe” Mean for Background Check Services?

Before diving into whether Intelius is legit or safe, it’s worth pausing to define these terms in the context of online background check services. When we call a service “legit” or “legitimate,” it means it’s a genuine company that provides the services it promises without misleading users. For something to be “safe,” it should secure your personal information, follow legal guidelines, and not put you at risk of scams or fraud.

With so many sketchy services floating around, these qualities are especially important. You’re entrusting a company with sensitive queries—maybe even your own information—so reliability, security, and transparency are non-negotiable.

How Does Intelius Work?

If you’re new to Intelius, here’s a quick rundown of how it operates. Intelius is a background check and public records search service that allows you to find information about people in the U.S. Whether you’re looking up an old friend, checking someone’s criminal record, or simply satisfying your curiosity, the platform gathers publicly available data to provide detailed reports.

Here’s how the process works:

1. Search Bar Entry – To start, you enter the person’s name, phone number, or address into the search bar.
2. Data Aggregation – Intelius scans publicly available records like criminal records, property deeds, address history, and more.
3. Report Compilation – Once it gathers all this information, Intelius organizes it into an easy-to-read report that you can view online.

The platform runs a subscription-based model. While you can initiate a search online for free, viewing detailed reports requires signing up for one of their plans.

I used the service myself and found the search bar straightforward—you just plug in the details and wait for the system to do its magic. Pretty easy, right? But of course, usability is one thing; safety and legitimacy are a whole different ball game.

Features of Intelius

To really understand if Intelius is legitimate and worth your time, you need to know what it offers. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

1. Background Checks

This is Intelius’s bread and butter. The platform provides detailed reports with information about someone’s criminal history, educational background, professional records, and more. It’s important to note that the results only include publicly available information. No breaking into private databases here—just good old transparency.

2. Reverse Phone Lookup

Ever got a call from an unknown number and wanted to dig deeper? Intelius offers a reverse phone lookup tool that helps identify the owner of any number, complete with their name and, in some cases, location history. It’s handy for spotting spam or scam calls.

3. People Search

The people search feature lets you look up anyone in the U.S. by just entering their name and city. Convenient if you’re trying to track down an old friend or reconnect with a long-lost relative.

4. Reverse Address Lookup

This feature tells you who owns a specific address and even lets you explore the property’s history. Whether you’re curious about a neighborhood or scoping out potential real estate, it’s a useful tool.

5. Data Privacy Tools

Now, this is something worth noting for those of us concerned about our own safety online. Intelius gives you the option to remove your personal information from their site. If you don’t want people snooping on your details, they’ve got instructions for opting out.

How Safe Is Intelius?

Alright, let’s tackle the big question here—is Intelius safe? From a technical perspective, Intelius employs secure encryption protocols to protect user data. This means your credit card details, search queries, and other sensitive information are encrypted, making it difficult for hackers to access them.

However, like most background check services, the data Intelius provides comes from public records. While there’s nothing inherently unsafe about this, it does raise questions about how much personal information about you is floating around online. The good news? Intelius has a straightforward opt-out process for those who don’t want their information publicly listed.

From my experience, I felt confident entering my details into the site—it didn’t give me those sketchy scam-site vibes, and there were no pop-up ads or suspicious redirects. That alone was reassuring.

Is Intelius a Scam?

Now for the elephant in the room. Is Intelius a scam? Based on my research, Intelius is not a scam. It’s been around since 2003 and is owned by a legitimate company called PeopleConnect, which also operates other well-known services like Classmates.com.

That said, is Intelius perfect? Not quite. Some users have reported dissatisfaction with their pricing structure, particularly the subscription model. The platform is upfront about its pricing, but it’s essential to read the fine print. Unless you cancel, the subscription auto-renews, and this has caught some users off guard.

To avoid any misunderstandings, make sure you know what you’re getting into before hitting that “Subscribe” button. From a functionality standpoint, however, Intelius’s services work as advertised, provided you understand their limitations.

Pros and Cons of Intelius

Before you decide if Intelius is right for you, here’s a quick look at the pros and cons:

Pros:

• User-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate.
• Comprehensive data from multiple public records.
• Offers privacy tools to opt out of data searches.
• No sketchy or scam-like practices.
• Established service with a long history.

Cons:

• Subscription-based pricing might not be ideal for occasional users.
• Reports may sometimes include outdated or incomplete information.
• Auto-renewal of subscriptions can catch you off guard if you’re not careful.

Who Should Use Intelius?

If you’re someone who frequently needs to look up public information—like a landlord screening potential tenants or someone reconnecting with old friends—Intelius is a legitimate and safe choice. On the flip side, if you’re looking for free or one-off searches, this might not be the best fit due to its subscription model.

Is Intelius Right for You?

Ultimately, whether Intelius is right for you depends on your specific needs. If you’re willing to pay for detailed information and appreciate having easy access to public data, this service delivers. It’s legit, straightforward, and packed with features.

But if you’re concerned about keeping your personal details hidden, consider opting out of their database—a step I’d recommend for anyone wanting to maintain maximum privacy.

Final Thoughts

After using Intelius myself and carefully analyzing its features, I’d confidently say Intelius is legit and safe for its intended purposes. It’s not perfect, but it’s also not a scam. Like any service, it’s essential to use it responsibly and set realistic expectations for what it can and can’t do.

If you’ve been on the fence, I hope this review provided some clarity. Whether you’re chasing answers or just curious, Intelius is a reliable platform for accessing public records securely. Just do your due diligence, and you’ll be in good hands!

Intelius FAQ

What is Intelius?

Intelius is an online service that allows you to access public records and background information about people. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with someone, verify someone’s background, or identify unknown callers, Intelius provides detailed reports compiled from publicly available data.

Is Intelius legit?

Yes, Intelius is legit. It’s been around since 2003 and is operated by PeopleConnect, a reputable company. Intelius delivers what it promises—access to public records and background information. It’s a proven and trusted service when used responsibly.

Is Intelius safe?

Yes, Intelius is safe to use. It employs secure encryption techniques to protect your personal and payment information. However, like any public records service, it collects data already available online, so it’s important to review their privacy options if you’re cautious about your own details being accessible.

How does Intelius work?

Intelius works by gathering information from public records, such as criminal databases, property records, and phone directories. You enter a search query like a name, phone number, or address, and Intelius organizes the data into an easy-to-read report. You can access detailed information after subscribing to their service.

What services does Intelius offer?

Intelius provides several helpful tools, including:

• Background Checks: View criminal records, education history, professional details, and more.
• Reverse Phone Lookup: Identify who’s behind an unknown phone number.
• People Search: Find detailed information about someone using their name and location.
• Reverse Address Lookup: Discover property history and ownership details.
• Data Privacy Tools: Options to remove your information from the platform if you prefer not to be searchable.

How much does Intelius cost?

Intelius operates on a subscription model. Prices vary based on the plan you choose, but typically range from $19.95 to higher tiers if you need a more extensive search or feature access. Keep an eye on auto-renewal policies and ensure you understand subscription terms before signing up.

Can I remove my information from Intelius?

Yes, Intelius allows you to opt-out and remove your information from being listed in search results. You can visit their website and follow their opt-out instructions. Keep in mind, however, that this only removes your details from their database and not from the original public record sources.

What kind of information does Intelius provide?

Intelius compiles data from public records and may include information such as full names, age, phone numbers, addresses, criminal records, educational background, and property details. Be aware that all the information comes from public sources, meaning no private data is accessed illegally.

Does Intelius offer a free option?

You can run a basic search on Intelius for free, but viewing detailed reports requires a paid subscription. It’s wise to review the pricing and terms before deciding to sign up.

Is the information provided by Intelius always accurate?

Intelius provides information pulled from public records, which can occasionally contain outdated or incomplete details. While it aims to be as reliable as possible, there’s always a chance of slight inaccuracies due to the nature of public data.

Will I be notified if someone searches for me on Intelius?

No, Intelius does not notify you if someone searches for your information. However, if privacy concerns you, use their opt-out option to remove your details from their database.

Does Intelius work outside the United States?

No, Intelius only gathers and provides information about people within the United States. If you need international public records, their service may not meet your needs.

How do I contact Intelius customer service?

You can reach Intelius customer support through their website’s help center or by calling their hotline. Their team can assist with billing inquiries, cancellations, or any concerns related to your searches.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes, you can cancel your Intelius subscription anytime. To do so, contact their customer service or manage the subscription through your account settings on their website. Be sure to cancel before the next billing cycle to avoid being charged again.

What should I know before using Intelius?

Before using Intelius, it’s essential to understand that the platform only accesses public information. It doesn’t break any laws to obtain details. Also, results may differ depending on how much data is available about a person in public records.

If you’re looking for a legitimate and secure way to access public data, Intelius is a helpful tool—but always use it responsibly and ethically!