- Who owns Intelius and what it sells
- Intelius and the Fair Credit Reporting Act
- How accurate are Intelius reports?
- Removing your own listing from Intelius
- Lawsuits and settlements involving Intelius
- What I couldn't confirm about Intelius billing
- Staying safe around people-search sites
- Intelius at a glance
- So, is Intelius legit?
- Frequently asked questions
Intelius is a real people-search company, founded in 2003, based in Seattle and owned by PeopleConnect, Inc. It offers people and property search, background checks and reverse phone lookup from public records. The big catch: its owner's terms say it isn't a consumer reporting agency, so you can't use it for hiring, renting, credit or insurance decisions.
People type this question for two very different reasons. Some are about to pay for a report on someone, and some have just found their own name on the site and want it gone. Either way, you deserve a straight answer about what the company is, what its own terms allow and where it has been criticised. I've used Wikipedia and the terms published by its owner, PeopleConnect, and I'll say clearly what I couldn't read.
Who owns Intelius and what it sells
According to Wikipedia, Intelius is owned and operated by PeopleConnect, Inc. It was founded in 2003 by six former InfoSpace executives, including Naveen Jain, and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Wikipedia says H.I.G. Capital acquired the company on July 1, 2015.
It offers people and property search, background checks and reverse phone lookup. PeopleConnect's own site lists Intelius among its brands, alongside Classmates, TruthFinder, US Search and Instant Checkmate, and says its products let users harness the power of public records. So it's a real business with a long history, not an anonymous pop-up site.
Intelius and the Fair Credit Reporting Act
This is the point I'd read twice. PeopleConnect's terms of use, in Section 3, state that the company and its affiliate entities are not consumer reporting agencies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. They prohibit using the services to decide someone's suitability for insurance, credit and loans, employment, or housing and other accommodations.
In plain terms, an Intelius report isn't meant to be used to screen a job applicant, a tenant, a borrower or an insurance customer. If you're a small business owner thinking of running a quick check on a new hire, the owner's own terms rule it out. Use a service that is set up for employment screening and ask an adviser about the rules in your area.
How accurate are Intelius reports?
PeopleConnect's terms say the services are provided on an AS-IS and AS AVAILABLE basis, and that the company is not responsible for the accuracy of the information on the website. That's a normal disclaimer for people-search sites, but it matters. Public records can be out of date, mixed up between people with similar names or incomplete.
So treat a report as a lead to check, not a verdict on someone. Before you act on anything you've read, confirm it with the original source.
Removing your own listing from Intelius
PeopleConnect runs a Suppression Center for removal requests. I couldn't read the page's steps, so I can't walk you through them, and I'd rather not guess. Look for that name on PeopleConnect's site, follow the instructions there and use only the official page, because copycat removal services exist.
The same terms warn that subtle discrepancies in data may make it hard to remove everything, and that the company provides no assurances it can. If you're tidying your public footprint more broadly, my guide to online reputation management covers what else people can find about you.
Lawsuits and settlements involving Intelius
Wikipedia records some history that's worth knowing. In 2010 the Washington Attorney General sued Intelius, and a settlement of 1.3 million US dollars was reached in August. It also records a class action, Lee v. Intelius, in which the Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's ruling for the class in 2013, with the parties later settling for a combined 10.5 million US dollars.
Those cases are old, and I'm only reporting what a reputable reference says. They concern billing practices and consent in the earlier years of the business. They're a reason to read the checkout page carefully and keep your receipt.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
What I couldn't confirm about Intelius billing
The Intelius website itself wasn't readable for this research, and PeopleConnect's terms page I did read doesn't describe subscriptions, renewals or cancellation. So I can't tell you what a trial costs, whether it renews or how to cancel. Before you enter card details, read the offer on the checkout screen, note the renewal wording, and check the cancel instructions in your account.
Staying safe around people-search sites
- Never use a people-search report to find, track or contact someone who has made it clear they don't want contact.
- Don't use it for hiring, renting, credit or insurance decisions, as the terms prohibit it.
- Watch for fake removal sites and emails that mimic the brand. My guide to spotting scam accounts and messages applies the same instincts.
- Keep your receipt and your confirmation emails.
If someone is harassing you, report it to the platform it's happening on, and if you're in danger, contact the police.
Intelius at a glance
| What I checked | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Owner | PeopleConnect, Inc. |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Based in | Seattle, Washington |
| What it sells | People and property search, background checks, reverse phone lookup |
| FCRA position | Not a consumer reporting agency, per owner's terms |
| Prohibited uses | Insurance, credit and loans, employment, housing |
| Accuracy | Provided AS-IS, accuracy not promised |
So, is Intelius legit?
Yes, it's a real company with a clear owner and a long track record. It's also a tool with firm limits: public-records information of variable accuracy, no use for hiring or housing decisions and a removal process you should only follow through the official page. Go in knowing that, and it's far less likely to disappoint you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Intelius legit?
Yes, it's a real people-search company, founded in 2003 and owned by PeopleConnect, Inc. It sells reports built from public records, with the accuracy limits its owner's terms describe.
Can I use Intelius to screen a tenant or employee?
PeopleConnect's terms say the company and its affiliates are not consumer reporting agencies under the FCRA, and they prohibit using the services for employment, housing, credit and insurance decisions.
Are Intelius reports accurate?
The terms say services are provided AS-IS and AS AVAILABLE and that the company isn't responsible for the accuracy of the information on the website. Verify anything important at the original source.
How do I remove my information from Intelius?
PeopleConnect runs a Suppression Center for removal requests. I couldn't read its steps, so use the official page only and be careful of copycat services.
Has Intelius been sued?
Wikipedia records a 2010 Washington Attorney General suit that settled for 1.3 million US dollars and a class action, Lee v. Intelius, which settled for a combined 10.5 million US dollars after a 2013 appeal ruling.
Does Intelius tell people when I search for them?
I couldn't find that in the sources I could read, so I won't say either way. Check the site's own privacy and terms pages.
