PCH Intelius: Understanding This Charge and Your Background Check Options

What Is PCH Intelius?

If you've noticed a charge labeled "PCH*INTELIUS" or "PCH*INTELIUS.COM/RT" on your credit card or bank statement, you're not alone. This is one of the most common mystery charges people search for, and it typically appears as a recurring monthly fee ranging from $24.86 to $35.30.

PCH Intelius is a billing descriptor used by Intelius, a Seattle-based public records and background check company founded in 2003. The "PCH" prefix stands for PeopleConnect Holdings, Inc.—the parent company that owns Intelius along with several other people search services including BeenVerified, Instant Checkmate, and TruthFinder.

The charge usually appears when someone signs up for an Intelius subscription, often through a low-cost trial offer (typically $0.95 to $1.99) that automatically converts to a full monthly subscription. Many users don't realize they've subscribed until they see the recurring charge weeks or months later.

Why Did This Charge Appear on My Statement?

There are several common scenarios that lead to PCH Intelius charges:

• Trial Subscription Auto-Renewal: Intelius offers 5-day and 7-day trial periods for under $1, which automatically upgrade to full memberships costing $25-35 per month unless cancelled.
• Forgotten One-Time Search: You may have searched for someone's information and inadvertently signed up for a subscription during checkout.
• Shared Account Access: A family member or someone with access to your payment method may have signed up for the service.
• Confusing Checkout Process: Many users report that the subscription terms were not clearly visible during signup, with pricing mentioned in small print.

If you're seeing charges you don't recognize, first check if anyone in your household used your card for a background check or people search. The charge phone number (877-893-6132) associated with PCH*INTELIUS can help you identify the specific transaction.

How to Cancel Your Intelius Subscription

If you want to stop the PCH Intelius charges, here's exactly how to cancel:

Option 1: Cancel by Phone (Fastest Method)

1. Call Intelius customer service at 1-888-445-2727
2. Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 4 PM Pacific Time
3. Request to cancel your membership
4. Ask for a confirmation number and keep it for your records
5. Request a refund if you believe you were charged incorrectly

Option 2: Cancel Online

1. Visit the Intelius website and go to the login page
2. Sign in to your account using the email associated with your subscription
3. Navigate to "My Account" in the top menu bar
4. Click on "My Membership"
5. Select "Cancel My Membership"
6. Confirm by clicking "Yes"

Option 3: Cancel via Mobile App (Android)

If you subscribed through the Intelius Android app, you'll need to cancel through your Google Play Store subscriptions rather than contacting Intelius directly.

Pro tip: When canceling, ask the representative if you're eligible for a refund. Intelius's refund policy allows cancellation within the first five days for a full refund, though user experiences vary in actually obtaining refunds.

Understanding Intelius Pricing and Plans

Knowing what Intelius charges helps you verify whether the amount on your statement is legitimate:

• People Search Plan: Approximately $25.11 per month, or about $21.35 per month when billed bi-monthly ($42.70 total)
• Reverse Phone Lookup + People Search: Around $35.30 per month after the trial period
• Address Lookup + People Search: Approximately $34.95 per month after trial
• Downloadable Report Fee: Additional $3.99 per report
• Identity Protection Add-on: $9.95 per month extra

The subscription model means Intelius charges automatically renew every 30 days unless you actively cancel. This is where many users run into problems—they forget about the trial, and charges continue for months.

Common Complaints About Intelius

Before you decide whether to continue using Intelius or seek alternatives, it's worth understanding the common issues users report:

• Surprise Recurring Charges: The majority of complaints involve unexpected monthly fees after trial periods. Many users report being charged $29.95 per month for years without realizing it.
• Difficult Cancellation: Some users report challenges getting their subscriptions cancelled, even after following proper procedures.
• Information Accuracy: Background check accuracy varies by jurisdiction. Some counties and states update records frequently, while others lag behind, meaning Intelius may miss recent cases or show outdated information.
• Not Suitable for Employment Screening: Importantly, Intelius cannot be used for FCRA-compliant employment background checks, tenant screening, or credit decisions.

That said, Intelius does have legitimate uses. The service provides access to over 20 billion public records and can help people reconnect with lost contacts, verify unknown callers, or research address histories for personal purposes.

Free and Better Alternatives for Background Checks

If you're looking for background check capabilities without the subscription trap, there are alternatives worth considering.

Galadon's Free Background Checker

For B2B professionals who need to verify contacts, potential business partners, or leads, our free Background Checker tool provides comprehensive background reports with trust scores—without requiring a monthly subscription. It's designed for sales professionals, recruiters, and marketers who need quick verification without getting locked into recurring fees.

The tool generates detailed reports including available public records, helping you make informed decisions about who you're doing business with. No hidden charges, no trial-to-subscription conversion—just the information you need.

Complement Your Research with Additional Tools

Background checks are often just one piece of the puzzle. When you're researching someone for business purposes, you might also want to:

• Verify their email first: Use our free Email Verifier to confirm you're reaching the right person before investing time in deeper research.
• Find direct contact information: If you only have a name and company, our Mobile Number Finder can help you track down cell phone numbers for direct outreach.

For teams that need robust contact data enrichment, tools like Lusha or RocketReach offer comprehensive B2B contact databases that integrate well with outreach workflows.

How to Dispute Unauthorized PCH Intelius Charges

If you believe you were charged without authorization, here's your action plan:

1. Contact Intelius First: Call 1-888-445-2727 and explain the situation. Document the date, time, and representative's name.
2. Request Written Confirmation: Ask for email confirmation of any cancellation or refund agreement.
3. Contact Your Bank: If Intelius won't issue a refund for unauthorized charges, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank. Explain that you didn't knowingly authorize a subscription.
4. Monitor Future Statements: After cancelling, watch your statements for 2-3 billing cycles to ensure charges have stopped.
5. Consider a New Card Number: If charges continue after cancellation, request a new card number from your bank to prevent future billing.

Protecting Yourself from Future Subscription Traps

The PCH Intelius situation is common across many "trial offer" services. Here's how to protect yourself going forward:

• Use Virtual Card Numbers: Many banks and services like Privacy.com let you create single-use or merchant-locked card numbers. This prevents unexpected recurring charges.
• Set Calendar Reminders: Whenever you sign up for a trial, immediately set a reminder to cancel before the trial ends.
• Read the Fine Print: Before entering payment information, look specifically for terms about automatic renewal and monthly fees.
• Check Your Statements Monthly: A quick review of your statements can catch unauthorized charges before they accumulate.
• Use Free Tools When Possible: For many background check needs, free tools provide sufficient information without any financial risk.

The Bottom Line on PCH Intelius

Seeing "PCH*INTELIUS" on your bank statement can be frustrating, especially if you don't remember signing up for anything. The good news is that cancelling is straightforward—call 1-888-445-2727 during business hours, request cancellation and a confirmation number, and follow up to ensure the charges stop.

For future background check needs, consider whether you really need a subscription service. Many users sign up for Intelius intending to run a single search, then end up paying for months of access they never use. Free tools like Galadon's Background Checker can handle most B2B verification needs without any subscription commitment.

If you do use paid services, set reminders for trial end dates and always keep confirmation numbers when you cancel. A few minutes of organization can save you from unexpected charges appearing on your statement months down the road.