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Intelius

Intelius review: intelius - beware it's a rip-off! 79

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12:00 am EDT
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I paid $14.95 to this company Intelius for a reverse phone number search. They claim to have the latest records, but the record they gave me was at least a couple years out of date. It had a woman's name (the phone number actually belonged to a man), and they showed it as a land line but it was actually a cell phone. I contacted the company but they wouldn't give me a refund. I asked to speak to a supervisor and they said one would call me the next day but no one ever did. Bad information and bad customer service, too. Save your money.

Oct 14, 2009 3:57 pm EDT
Intelius customer support contacts
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C/O Intelius, 500 108th Ave. NE, 16th Floor, Bellevue, WA, 98004, US

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Please call 888-445-2727 Monday – Friday 4:30am – 9:00pm PST. We will be more than happy to assist you with your account.
Resolved

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79 comments
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paul milosich
Depew, US
Mar 23, 2009 11:57 pm EDT

was also ripped off by intelius bought a search 4 1.95 and was billed 19.95 4 2 following months the only way to resolve is to cancel credit card and have them issue another with a new acct. no. paul milosich

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yakk
US
Apr 07, 2009 9:01 am EDT

I was looking for information and came across their website. I was foolish enough to try it and have now had to cancel my credit card to keep any new charges from being added. STAY AWAY FROM THIS SITE!

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Cathy Young
Daytona Beach, US
Apr 27, 2009 9:38 pm EDT

I was looking for my brother...and in going thru several websites paid $24.94 for a service with cis Worldwide

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Kimmers
US
Jun 18, 2009 2:02 pm EDT

I spent .95 for a name lookup, and about a week later received a $19.95 charge on my checking account. I tried for days to reach someone but no one answers. My bank and I are currently fighting because I have to prove it is an error WTF.

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Alison1
Denver, US
Jun 22, 2009 2:35 pm EDT

How is this site legal? How is my land line a matter of public record? If anyone has seen a reverse phone lookup summary they give you a person's name, age, relatives, address and income. How is any of that a matter of "public" record? This is one stop shopping for all types of stalkers and others who should be able to so easily gain access to this private information. This is unsafe and a gross violation of privacy that must be stopped.

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kar02004
Iberia, US
Jun 23, 2009 12:27 pm EDT

I got a international background check from Intelius and it was a total rip off! I got it on my boyfriend and it only had 3 charges on there for him. One of them wasn't even right. Then it had some person I don't even know on there.
When I called and let them know it was not what I wanted they said there is nothing they can do unless I can prove it was wrong. I then proceeded to tell them I have the court papers on the charge that was wrong, then they told me there is nothing they can do. NO REFUND, and They couldn't fix it.
I got more information off of casenet then I did from intelius...and it was FREE!
DON'T WAST YOUR MONEY INTELIUS IS A TOTAL RIP OFF!

the furious
the furious
US
Jul 06, 2009 1:13 pm EDT

I just found out this Intelius SCAM yesterday after I reviewed our CC statements of last 2 months(May and June). I was shocked to see 2 charges of $19.95, total $39.90 on each statement. One is from Intelius, another is Valuemax. My husband authorized the one time charge of $1.95(flat rate) when he used Intelius to find his high school friend in April. And he has no clue how he got scammed.

I called Intelius [protected], a woman named Jovana answered. I told her that we did not authorize the charges and we want to cancel all the so-called memberships from Intelius and all their affiliates. She agreed and made the cancellation without hesitation(I had to give her my husband's name and email). I waited about 3 minutes on the phone, she returned and said that all the services has been canceled, and they will credit back all the charges to my CC. At the end she gave me the confirmation numbers of the cancellations.

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lily10
San Mateo, US
Jul 07, 2009 1:26 pm EDT

I was simply looking for my pastor’s phone number, who moved to another city. During the web page search, intelius.com shows with the result that I was looking for. In order for me to get the phone number that I needed, I had to fill out my personal information, including my work phone number and paid for $0.95. I didn’t carefully read the fine print, but when I just checked my account online (this account is not my primary account) I noticed that Intelius has been withdrawing $19.99 from June to this month, July. I was very upset; not only did I feel that this is cheating, but I also found out from their web site that my personal information, including the last 4 digits of my account, was available for everyone to see online! I believe this is how they are collecting people’s data!

So people who are innocent like me, who are simply looking for lost friends or people’s information online, you better be careful; these are Legal Thefts. They are the ones who steal people’s personal information. They don’t protect your identity online; they sell it.

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ambism
US
Jul 21, 2009 8:56 am EDT

I got involved in this same situation. Checked my account online and bang!- MONEY GONE. It was at night ET, so I had to dwell on it the entire night and call them at exactly 5AM PT. I called Intelius [protected] and I was ready to drop the bombs on 'em.

The wait was about 15 seconds. At first, the operator explained to me why I was charged, I denied reading anything about agreeing to a subscription, called it a scam, etc, etc.

She said she couldn't refund the money. (Oh, heeeeell no!) Now, I'm one of those hungry college students, so messing with my money is a no-no.
As soon as I mentioned that I was going to dispute the charge with my Credit Card company, I was told that the pending transaction will be canceled, and I'd get my money back. (Hell yes!)

BUT, if you manage to get a refund, make sure that you cancel your membership with them! They don't do it unless you ask-- and you'll get billed again.

For anybody that has issues with Intelius and would like a refund:
- Call the # I called above. Early in the morning (5AM PT).
- Be polite. These people have bills to pay themselves. Giving them ### will get you ###.
- Do mention that if you don't get a refund with them, you will dispute the charge with your CC company.
- Cancel your membership!
- Ask for a confirmation number (important!).
- AND, don't disregard the issue until your money is back in your account.

** If possible, check your bank account online every night. That way you won't have to wait a month for your statement, you can dispute it faster (as it's pending), etc...
** Check to see whether other companies associated with them charged you. I also got charged $25.95 by Valmax, and I canceled the membership, and was promised a refund-- without problems.

I'll update when I get the money. this was all about 20 minutes ago. All the best to you all. Don't panic. ;)

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dscott
Costa Mesa, US
Jul 28, 2009 10:13 am EDT

These guys are a ripoff. My story is the same as all the others, use their services once under a supposed one time fee. Next thing you know Intellius is charging me $19.95 a month. This is the second month now. And, after reading this blog and others, I just decided to file a fraud claim with my credit card company and cancel my existing card number and have them reissue a new card. Enough fraud claims and they will have trouble maintaining access to MC/Visa card services. Also, if you have time at the office, you might want to call their 800 number and stay on hold until they answer so they get phone bill charges. You will find they take 10-20 minutes on average to answer. Figures, the high volume of calls is because 20, 000 people are calling for a refund.

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Bela Sopron
US
Aug 19, 2009 1:13 pm EDT

Like others, fell for this too when I ordered a reverse phone number lookup and was shocked to find a 19.95 charge on my card for 'identity protect' a week later. I went back and looked at my invoice for the reverse lookup and it says "Identity Protect Trial - $0.00" So why are they charging my card? Usually they at least have some fine print (which I read) that says something to the effect of 'if you do not cancel by X amount of time you will be charged XX dollars' No such claim or warning was ever made. Could not reach anyone at customer service #, emailed them, no response. I'm not waiting to see if they refund, too worrisome that they now have my cc #. Called my card company and cancelled my card and am filing a fraud complaint disputing the charge. I suggest everyone else do the same. Does not sound like you want these people to have your cc info, god knows what they will do with it. I am also filing with the Better Business Bureau. And of course the irony here is that they are supposed to protect you from the scammers, when in fact they are the scammers themselves. What a pain in the ###.

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Atty
San Diego, US
Oct 23, 2009 2:08 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Our law firm is Plaintiffs' counsel in a class action lawsuit filed against Intelius and their partners in the Central District of California. If you have information you would like to share, or to assist in the prosecution of this case, you can contact me at:

William R. Restis, Esq.
Finkelstein & Krinsk LLP
501 West Broadway, Suite 1250
San Diego, CA 92101
Toll Free: [protected]
Fax: [protected]
email: wrr@classactionlaw.com

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Joe Doaks
US
Nov 04, 2009 11:58 pm EST

I am soo ashamed of myself for letting these crooks get me for sooo much - -
I am 78 yr`s old and I guess, I was supposed to know better - but this world is getting so bad, so fast that I can`t keep-up with all the new Dirty Tricks.
I assume it is all legial or they would be in JAIL !

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Joe Doaks
US
Nov 05, 2009 12:00 am EST

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harry0h
US
Jul 09, 2010 5:18 pm EDT

they have have dead people posted on their site, how sick is that!

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NCconsumer21
US
Jul 20, 2010 12:51 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

On Wed. March 31, 2010, I purchased a public record report for $ 0.95. On April 7, 2010 I noticed an additional charge on my credit card for $19.95 from INT*IDPROTECT MNTR SVC [protected] WA
[protected]. THIS WAS A CHAREGE I DID NOT AUTHORIZE. I called the company and spoke with the customer service representative who assured me that the charge would be reversed and no future transactions would be charged to my credit card.
On 5/7/10; 6/7/10; 7/7/10, there were 3 charges to my credit card for 19.95 but this time from INT*INTELIUS CM [protected] WA [protected]. I called this number to reverse the charges and to my surprise it was the same company that had made unauthorized charges to my account on 4/7/10. The representative claims they have no record of my phone call on 4/7/10 cancelling the service and as such they would not reverse the charges. I asked to speak with a manager and was forward to Emmy- Id #8876 who agreed to reverse the charges for 2 months for a total of $39.90.
A company should not be a allowed to charge consumers for services they did not authorize. A simple purchase of $ 0.95 has ended up costing me $79.80. I am completely outraged and willing to take whatever steps necessary to have the remaining charges reversed and to ensure that this does not happen to anyone else.
A simple purchase of $ 0.95 has ended up costing me $79.80. I should be reimbursed a total of $79.80 for these unauthorized charges. And I am willing to take whatever steps necessary to have the remaining charges reversed and to ensure that this does not happen to anyone else.

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JRLM
US
Jul 22, 2010 11:28 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This intelius sight is a fraud. I reasearched someone last night and the person is a prestige account. They said he only makes $22K annual. Secondly, the charge was only for an $1.95 transaction which I accepted. This Morning, I noticed they charged me an additional $19.95 to be continued monthly for membership which I never consent to! Sham on you!

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NaJp
US
Sep 01, 2018 3:18 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Information about peoples

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Savanna b
US
Oct 14, 2018 11:59 pm EDT

Hey I didn't authorize this. I'm not sure how I got charged for this product I didn't sign up for anything on this website. I have no clue what the log in information would be to even cancel this product. Please can I get this canceled and the $29 put back into my account.

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gg007
US
Nov 13, 2018 2:49 am EST

i am unable to login into my premier plus acct keeps showing black page

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Crystal Summers
US
Jul 06, 2019 1:55 pm EDT

Whom it may concern, my name is crystal summers, i just had a membership fee of $29.95 taken out of my account. Someone is using my card ending in 4813 without permission. I have cancelled the subscription within minutes of payment taken out but now im asking for immediate refund of $29.95. Thank you

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nottobetakenadvageof
US
Jan 09, 2020 8:03 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

total [censored]

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nottobetakenadvageof
US
Jan 09, 2020 8:21 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

"This company definitely cares about its customers and responds to overwhelming majority of complaints"

FALSE!

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nottobetakenadvageof
US
Jan 15, 2020 9:16 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

zero email and/ or chat
charged me FOUR times @ roughly $20 a pop AND gave incorrect information.
utter trash

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bibbity barnes
US
Jan 21, 2020 10:20 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have been unable to get an itemized statement for parts and services which involves a third party. I can't have an intellegent conversation with the other party untill I know what all parts etc. Are involved. This is going on 3 mo. Now. Very poor comutation.

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john w brown
streamwood, US
Oct 23, 2022 3:56 pm EDT

early oct a charge of less than a dollar was cancled and returned to my acct through paypal thank you then a week later i was charged 34.95 through paypal i did not authorize this all paypal was able to do is cancel a subscription that i was unaware of but im out 34.95 i want returned thank you john w brown jb041447@hotmail.com

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1965me
Mechanicsville, US
Jan 07, 2023 1:54 pm EST

I was charged twice 34.94 11/22 and 12/22 I did not sign up for this and I do not want nor need the service I would like my money back ASAP thank you

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Ciniciiiinnnnnattttttiuiiiii
Godfrey, US
Feb 04, 2023 8:40 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I just got 40$ charge to my card from some Intelius thing randomly even tho I cancelled my subscription I needed that money for my groceries

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Jean B. Mastroni
Ocala, FL, US
Feb 18, 2023 3:56 pm EST

I requested a report be done on Paul Tringali and didn't receive it on Gmail under jean.mastroni@gmail.com Please let me know as soon as

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Edward Prendiville
404-1500 Grazia CRT Mississauga ON L4W 4Z9, CA
Feb 20, 2023 4:35 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Cancel payment US $34.95 Feb. 14 today please

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TreyEbarb93
Robeline, US
Mar 04, 2023 10:06 am EST

I would like my money back it is pending right now but I have no idea why this keeps coming out of my account this is the 3rd time this same amount has been takin from my account and I want a refund for all charges one for $34.95 on Jan 27 at 9:59pm one for February 26 at 10:00pm for $34.95 and one for $0.95 on Jan 6 at 9:52pm

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Chantae Burton
US
Mar 13, 2023 6:06 pm EDT

Pch Intelius automatically took $1.97 off my cashapp card without me confirming it this morning March 07,2023 at 10:22 A.m. I would like a refund because I did not approved this transaction.

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Miccah Johnston
US
Mar 18, 2023 5:03 am EDT

hi i am a minor underaged and such and these people keep talking thirty dollars out my account and my card has been suspended because my account thinks it was stolen i have never subscribed to these kinds of things and i don’t know how they got my information but i know for sure that i want my money back or i will talk to my lawyer .

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khaleelah azeez
chicago, il, US
Jul 01, 2023 11:05 am EDT

i would like to cancel my subscription and request the totals of $3.99 and $24.86 which was taken out of my credit card on 6/11/23. what do i need to do to get refunds? i do not want to see a report on the telephone number [protected] or the name of khaleelah azeez or eileen stolzenbach azeez at 7327 n rogers ave, chicago, il. thank you.

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Jerhaun Baldwin
US
Jul 05, 2023 11:38 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

They toke 37 dollars out my account I need it today

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J. M.....n
US
Aug 26, 2023 1:01 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I signed up for a trial and for whatever reason the cancellation didn't go through. Now they are making all sorts of excuses as to why they didn't process it, why they continued to process the payment, why they shouldn't have to refund the money. Horrible company. Completely unethical. Would categorize them as scam. STAY AWAY

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Beth Showalter
US
Sep 24, 2023 12:49 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

You have been charging me since June for a service that I've never used. I'd like you to refund my $32.00 that I have been charged through my pay pal account. I never agree to your service and I expect my money back.

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Sandy Esmeralda
US
Oct 22, 2023 10:02 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

It charged me $34.99 without my permission I am not subscribed to them and now I cannot get my back

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jatkinson
CLEATOR MOOR, GB
Nov 13, 2023 5:22 pm EST

intelius took out £30 from my bank account without my knowledge the total billed amount is shown as £0.78 to be taken out not £30

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