Intelius Free: What's Actually Available Without Paying

The Truth About "Intelius Free"

If you're searching for "Intelius free," you're likely hoping to run a quick background check or people search without paying. Let's be direct: Intelius does not offer a completely free service. However, there are some limited free features, low-cost trial options, and genuinely free alternatives worth exploring.

Intelius is one of the longest-running people search services in the United States, founded in . The platform aggregates public records from government agencies, court systems, and third-party data providers to create comprehensive background reports. Understanding exactly what you can access for free-and what requires payment-will save you time and prevent unexpected charges.

What Intelius Offers for Free

Intelius does provide some basic information at no cost, but it's extremely limited. Here's what you can actually access without paying:

• Basic People Search Previews: You can search for someone by name and see limited preview information including potential matches, approximate ages, and cities of residence
• Mobile App Basic Reports: The Intelius mobile app offers unlimited basic reports for free, which may include full name and aliases, date of birth, age, possible photos, possible relatives, contact details, and education information
• Search Initiation: You can start a search and see that records exist for a person before being prompted to pay

The catch? Any meaningful information-criminal records, detailed address history, contact information, financial records, or court documents-requires a paid subscription. The free previews are essentially designed to confirm that useful data exists and encourage you to pay for full access.

Understanding Intelius Trial Offers

Intelius is known for low-cost trial promotions, but these come with important caveats that catch many users off guard.

Common Trial Options

Intelius typically offers trials priced between $0.95 and $1.99 for 5-7 days of access. These trial periods provide access to unlimited standard reports and allow you to explore the platform's features. However, the trial automatically converts to a paid monthly subscription-typically $24.86 to $35.30 per month-unless you cancel before the trial ends.

The exact trial offer you see depends on which search type you initiate first. The platform funnels users into different trial bundles based on their search intent-whether you start with people search, reverse phone lookup, or address lookup. Importantly, the phone and address trials often renew at higher monthly rates than the standard People Search plan.

Why Users Get Frustrated

Consumer reviews frequently mention several pain points with Intelius trials:

• Automatic renewal catches users who forget to cancel
• The cancellation process can be difficult to navigate
• Some users report being charged additional fees to download reports ($3.99 per report)
• Monthly subscription prices vary based on which trial path you took
• The jump from the $0.95-$1.99 trial to $24.86-$35.30 monthly fee feels steep if you're not expecting it

If you decide to use an Intelius trial, set a calendar reminder to cancel before the trial period ends. Some savvy users recommend using a prepaid Visa gift card with a limited balance to prevent unexpected recurring charges. After the trial charge depletes the card balance, no further billing can occur-eliminating subscription concerns without cancellation hassles.

Intelius Pricing Breakdown

For those willing to pay, here's what Intelius charges for full access:

• People Search Plan: Around $21-25 per month (cheaper when billed bi-monthly at approximately $42 for two months)
• Reverse Phone Lookup + People Search: Approximately $35.30 per month after trial
• Address Lookup + People Search: Around $34.95 per month
• One-time Criminal Record Checks: $14.95 for statewide, $29.95 for nationwide (when available)
• Identity Protection Add-on: $9.95-$19.95 per month

All plans include unlimited searches within their category, but Intelius does not offer a simple pay-per-report option-you must subscribe for ongoing access. Power users may receive slightly discounted rates (around $21.13 per month for two-month commitments), but regular pricing starts at $24.86 monthly.

How to Cancel Intelius Without Hassle

Canceling your Intelius subscription is critical if you want to avoid ongoing charges. Many users report difficulties with the cancellation process, making it one of the most common complaints about the service.

Three Ways to Cancel

You have several options to stop your Intelius subscription:

1. Through Your Account: Log into your Intelius account, hover over "My Account" in the top right, go to Membership Settings, and click "Cancel Subscription" under Active Subscriptions
2. By Phone: Call customer support at (888) 245- during business hours (7 AM - 4 PM PST, Monday-Friday)
3. By Email: Send a cancellation request to [email protected] with your account details

Important Cancellation Tips

To successfully cancel without continued charges:

• Cancel at least 24-48 hours before your trial ends to ensure processing time
• Save your cancellation confirmation email as proof
• Check your bank statement the following month to verify no charges occurred
• If charges persist after cancellation, contact your bank to dispute unauthorized transactions
• Be aware that some older sources mention a $7.95 cancellation fee, though this practice appears inconsistent

Remember: canceling your subscription does not remove your personal information from Intelius databases. If privacy is your concern, you'll need to complete a separate opt-out process through the PeopleConnect Suppression Center.

Key Limitations of Intelius

Before investing in Intelius, understand these critical limitations:

Not FCRA-Compliant

Intelius explicitly states it cannot be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, or insurance purposes. These uses require a consumer reporting agency that complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Using Intelius for these purposes would violate federal law.

Data Accuracy Concerns

Like all background check aggregators, Intelius relies on public data sources that may be incomplete or outdated. Criminal records and court data accuracy varies significantly by jurisdiction-some counties update records frequently while others don't. Reports should be treated as a starting point for research rather than definitive verification.

User reviews consistently mention issues with data quality. Some customers report information that's 5-10 years old, missing criminal records for known offenders, incomplete contact details, or entirely incorrect data associated with their search subject. Public records can be reported inaccurately, entered incorrectly, or not updated as frequently as users expect. Shared names or similar identifying details can also cause confusion, resulting in mixed information from multiple individuals.

Common Name Problems

Users with common names frequently receive reports that mix information from multiple individuals. If you're researching "John Smith" or "Michael Johnson," you'll need to carefully verify that the results actually correspond to your target person.

No Guarantee of Completeness

Even when Intelius does find records, there's no guarantee the report is comprehensive. Not all public records are digitized or available through the databases Intelius accesses. Some jurisdictions require in-person requests, and certain record types are sealed or restricted from public access entirely.

Intelius vs. Competitors: BeenVerified and Spokeo

When evaluating whether Intelius is worth the cost, it helps to understand how it compares to similar services.

Intelius vs. BeenVerified

BeenVerified operates with a simpler pricing model-a single membership fee of approximately $26.89 per month provides unrestricted access to all available content. While BeenVerified's interface is generally considered more modern and user-friendly than Intelius's dated design, both services draw from similar public record databases.

BeenVerified offers a useful tracking feature that sends notifications when information changes in official records-something Intelius doesn't provide. However, BeenVerified also requires payment upfront before showing any results, while Intelius at least provides limited preview information. Both platforms are part of large data broker networks (Intelius is owned by PeopleConnect), and both face similar complaints about auto-renewal billing practices.

Intelius vs. Spokeo

Spokeo positions itself as a more affordable option at around $14 per month, but that base price is somewhat deceptive. You'll need to pay extra for criminal background checks, unlimited searches, and report exports. When you add these necessary features, Spokeo's total cost often exceeds Intelius pricing.

Both services aggregate data from public sources, social media, and commercial databases. Neither consistently outperforms the other in accuracy-both rely on the same underlying data quality issues inherent to public records aggregation.

Which Service Is Best?

No single background check service dominates in all categories. Intelius works well for users who know exactly what information they need and can navigate the platform's multiple search options. BeenVerified suits casual users who prefer streamlined experiences and report tracking. For most users, the better question is whether any paid service is necessary when free alternatives exist for basic searches.

Genuinely Free Background Check Alternatives

If you need background information without paying Intelius subscription fees, consider these options:

Direct Public Records Access

Many public records are available directly from government sources at no cost:

• Court Records: Many state and county courts offer free online searches through their official websites
• Property Records: County assessor and recorder offices often provide free property ownership searches
• Sex Offender Registries: Every state maintains a free public sex offender database
• Federal Court Records: PACER provides access to federal court records (some fees apply for downloads)

The tradeoff is time-you'll need to search each jurisdiction separately rather than getting aggregated results.

Free People Search Tools

Several platforms offer limited free searches:

• TruePeopleSearch: Provides basic contact information and address history for free
• WhitePages: Offers free basic people search with limited details
• FamilyTreeNow: Genealogy-focused but includes address history and relatives

These free tools typically provide less comprehensive information than paid services, but may be sufficient for basic lookups.

Galadon Background Checker

For B2B professionals who need quick background insights, our free Background Checker tool provides comprehensive reports with trust scores at no cost. Unlike Intelius, there's no subscription trap-you get the information you need without ongoing fees. The tool is particularly useful for sales professionals vetting prospects or verifying business contacts before outreach.

When Intelius Makes Sense

Despite its limitations, Intelius can be a reasonable choice in specific situations:

• Multiple Searches Needed: If you need to run many searches over a month or two, the unlimited search model may be cost-effective
• Reconnecting with Lost Contacts: The platform excels at finding people's current contact information and address history
• Dating Safety: Running a quick background check before meeting someone from a dating app
• Neighborhood Research: Investigating new neighbors or understanding who previously lived at an address

The key is knowing that you'll use the service enough during your subscription period to justify the cost.

Common Complaints and Red Flags

Before signing up for Intelius, you should be aware of the most frequent customer complaints documented in reviews and with consumer protection agencies.

Unauthorized Charges

The number one complaint about Intelius involves unexpected recurring charges. Users report being enrolled in monthly subscriptions without clear disclosure during the trial sign-up process. While Intelius does disclose auto-renewal terms in checkout fine print, most users don't read these carefully before providing payment information.

Some customers report continued charges even after attempting to cancel, requiring bank intervention to stop the billing. Others mention difficulty reaching customer service or long wait times when trying to resolve billing disputes.

Outdated or Inaccurate Information

Many users feel deceived when they pay for a "comprehensive report" only to discover the information is years out of date or contains errors. One common scenario: users search for someone with a known criminal record, pay for a background check, and find no mention of convictions or arrests. This happens because not all jurisdictions provide digital access to criminal records, and updates can lag by months or years.

Hidden Download Fees

Even after paying for a subscription, some users report being charged additional fees ($3.99) to download or save their reports as PDFs. These extra costs aren't always clearly communicated upfront, leading to frustration when users discover they can't easily keep copies of information they've already paid to access.

Difficult Opt-Out Process

Users concerned about their own information appearing on Intelius often struggle with the removal process. While the platform is legally required to honor opt-out requests, the process involves navigating the PeopleConnect Suppression Center, and some users report technical difficulties or delayed processing times.

Combining Tools for Better Results

Professional researchers rarely rely on a single data source. For thorough background research, consider combining approaches:

1. Start with Free Tools: Use free people search sites to gather basic information like full name, approximate age, and possible locations
2. Verify Contact Information: Use an email verification tool to confirm any email addresses you find are valid before reaching out
3. Cross-Reference Data: Check information across multiple sources to identify inconsistencies or confirm accuracy
4. Access Primary Sources: For critical decisions, verify important claims (education, employment, criminal history) through official channels

This layered approach often provides more reliable results than any single paid service while minimizing costs.

Finding Phone Numbers and Contact Information

One common use case for services like Intelius is finding someone's phone number. If that's your primary need, dedicated tools often work better than general background check services. Our Mobile Number Finder tool helps you locate cell phone numbers from email addresses or LinkedIn profiles-useful when you need to reach someone directly but only have partial contact information.

For B2B professionals specifically, finding accurate contact details for prospects and leads is critical. Our Email Finder tool allows you to discover professional email addresses by entering a name and company, streamlining your outreach process without the need for expensive background check subscriptions.

Data Privacy: Protecting Yourself from Background Check Sites

Interestingly, if you're concerned about your own information appearing on Intelius and similar sites, you have options. Intelius and most data aggregators are required to honor opt-out requests. You can submit a request to have your personal information removed from their database, though this requires navigating their opt-out process and may need to be repeated for each data aggregator individually.

How to Remove Your Information from Intelius

To opt out of Intelius specifically:

1. Visit the Intelius homepage and scroll to the bottom
2. Click on "Do not sell or share my personal information" or "Exercise My Data Privacy Rights"
3. Click "View public data tools" and then "Manage my suppression rules"
4. Follow the prompts to identify your record and submit your suppression request
5. Verify your identity as required

Note that opting out of Intelius removes your data from all PeopleConnect network sites (Intelius, Instant Checkmate, PeopleLooker, and USSearch). However, suppression on these sites doesn't remove data from the original public sources, so it may still appear on other background check platforms.

Should You Pay for Data Removal Services?

Several companies offer automated data removal services that handle opt-out requests across hundreds of data broker sites. While these services charge subscription fees, they can save significant time if you're serious about reducing your digital footprint. Manual opt-outs are free but time-consuming, as you'll need to repeat the process for dozens of different platforms.

Better Alternatives for Business Professionals

If you're a sales professional, recruiter, or marketer researching prospects and leads, consumer background check services like Intelius aren't designed for your needs. Business intelligence requires different data sources and compliance considerations.

Galadon's suite of free B2B tools provides more relevant functionality:

• Tech Stack Scraper: Identify companies using specific technologies to target ideal prospects
• B2B Targeting Generator: AI-powered analysis to identify and analyze your target market
• Background Checker: Vet business contacts with comprehensive reports and trust scores

These tools focus on business-relevant information rather than personal background details, making them more appropriate for professional use cases while avoiding the FCRA compliance issues that limit Intelius.

The Bottom Line

"Intelius free" is largely a myth-the platform is fundamentally a subscription-based service with trials designed to convert users to paying customers. While the mobile app offers some basic free reports, anything of substance requires payment.

Before committing to an Intelius subscription, exhaust free alternatives first. For many use cases-verifying a business contact, finding someone's current phone number, or checking basic background information-free tools and direct public records access may provide everything you need. Save paid services for situations requiring comprehensive, aggregated data across multiple jurisdictions.

If you decide to try Intelius:

• Set a calendar reminder to cancel before the trial ends
• Consider using a prepaid card to prevent recurring charges
• Read all terms and conditions before providing payment information
• Verify that the information type you need is actually available before paying
• Cross-reference any critical information with official sources

If you're specifically looking for background information for business purposes without subscription traps, consider tools designed for B2B professionals that offer free access without hidden recurring charges. For personal background checks on dates, neighbors, or reconnecting with old contacts, weigh whether a one-month subscription provides better value than spending hours searching free public records manually.

Ultimately, Intelius fills a niche for users who need quick access to aggregated public records and are willing to pay for the convenience. Just go in with eyes wide open about the costs, limitations, and auto-renewal practices that catch so many users by surprise.