How to opt out of Intelius

Intelius is a well-known people search and data brokerage company that collects and sells personal information like addresses, phone numbers, and background details. It pulls this data from public records and offers services like people searches and background checks. While this can be useful, it also raises privacy concerns. Your personal info could be exposed to anyone willing to pay for it, potentially leading to identity theft or unwanted contact.

In this article, we'll explore what Intelius is, why you might want to remove your information from its database, and how to do this. Whether you’re concerned about privacy or just don’t want your details out there, we’ll guide you through the opt-out process—both the quick, automated options and the more hands-on, manual steps to ensure your info stays private.

How to opt out of Intelius

1. Visit the Intelius website and scroll to the bottom.
2. Click "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Info."
3. Fill out the form with your personal details.
4. Complete the CAPTCHA to verify.
5. Confirm your request via email.

What is Intelius?

Intelius is a people search service that pulls together personal information from public records and other sources to create detailed reports on individuals. It offers services like background checks, reverse phone lookups, and public records searches. Users can access many personal details about someone with just a name, phone number, or address.

Intelius collects and displays information like names, phone numbers, addresses (current and previous), email addresses, job history, educational background, and even criminal records. It gathers this data from public sources and online platforms to make it easy for anyone to find and pay for a report on someone.

While these services can be helpful for things like reconnecting with people or checking someone’s background, they also raise serious privacy concerns. Having your personal information easily accessible to strangers can lead to problems like identity theft, unwanted contact, or even harassment. Because of these concerns, many people opt out of Intelius to protect their privacy and keep their personal details out of the public eye.

How to opt out from Intelius

If you want to remove your personal information from Intelius or hundreds of other data brokers like it, you have two options: the automatic route or the manual process. The automatic method uses a service like Incogni, which is quick and efficient but comes with a price. On the other hand, the manual process is free but requires much more time and effort. In this guide, we'll walk you through both methods, step-by-step, so you can choose the option that best fits your needs.

Automatically (Step-by-Step with Screenshots)

Opting out of data brokers like Intelius with an automated service is the fastest and easiest method. Instead of submitting requests to multiple websites, you can use an automated service to do all the heavy lifting.

Incogni is a popular choice for automating this opt-out process. It automatically submits removal requests to hundreds of data brokers like Intelius on your behalf, saving you time and effort. Once you sign up, you can track the status of your requests and get updates right in your dashboard. This makes it a fantastic solution for anyone who doesn't want to spend hours navigating the opt-out process.

If you're short on time or just don't want the hassle of manually opting out of every site, Incogni is the way to go. It increases your chances of successfully removing your data and keeps you informed throughout the entire process.

Step-by-Step Guide for Using Incogni:

1. Sign up. Head over to the Incogni website and create an account. After signing up, log into your account and access the dashboard.
2. Authorize Incogni to deal with data brokers like Intelius on your behalf. Completing this process allows Incogni to do the hard work for you by opting out with the data brokers directly.
3. Verify your record(s). Confirm which records are yours. Incogni then starts automatically contacting data brokers like Intelius to opt out for you.
4. Confirm the first round of automatic opt-outs. Incogni will automatically send opt-out requests for you to hundreds of data brokers like Intelius.
5. Monitor progress. Incogni will automatically send regular removal requests to data brokers like Intelius to keep your information removed from their lists. Check your dashboard for updates and track the progress of your opt-out request.

Get started with Incogni

Manually (Step-by-Step with Screenshots)

You can always manually opt out of Intelius if you have the time and would rather not pay for a service. Although this method takes longer and requires more effort, it’s completely free and gives you full control over the process. If you enjoy being hands-on or want to ensure every step is done correctly, the manual process may be your best option.

Step-by-Step Guide to Manually Opting Out:

1. Visit the Intelius website. Go to the Intelius homepage and scroll to the bottom of the page. Find and click on the ‘‘Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Info’’ link to be directed to their opt-out page.
2. Enter your information. Fill out the required fields, including your full name, email address, and the URL to your Intelius profile. You can search for the profile URL on the site if you don’t know it.
3. Verify your request. Complete the CAPTCHA to confirm you’re not a robot. Then, submit your opt-out request.
4. Wait for confirmation. Once Intelius has processed your request, you should receive a confirmation email. Keep an eye on your inbox, as this might take a few days.
5. Check for removal. After you get the confirmation, search for your name on Intelius to ensure your information has been removed.

Alternative Intelius Opt-Out Methods

Another way to remove your information from Intelius is to contact Intelius customer service directly. You can reach out through email or phone and request to have your personal data removed. This approach can be helpful if you prefer speaking with someone directly or if there are complications with the regular opt-out process.

While contacting customer service offers the benefit of personalized help, it can take longer to process. You may need to go through additional verification steps, like proving your identity, which could slow things down. It’s also common to experience delays while waiting for a response from their team.

If you prefer talking to a real person and don’t mind waiting a bit longer, this option could be a good fit for you. However, for quicker results, automated or manual methods might be more efficient.

Should You Opt Out from Intelius?

Opting out of Intelius is a good idea if you're concerned about your privacy. Sites like Intelius gather personal information—things like your address, phone number, and even criminal records—and make it accessible to anyone. This can lead to serious issues, like identity theft or unwanted contact.

For some people, such as victims of stalking or harassment, opting out is especially important to protect their safety. If you've been a victim of identity theft, having your information on a site like Intelius can increase the risk of further misuse. Even if you're not dealing with these specific situations, it’s still worth removing your data to protect your online reputation.

The risks go beyond just unwanted contact. Having your personal info out there can lead to doxxing, where someone’s private details are shared online to cause harm. Fraud and other scams are also common when your data is easy to access. In a world where privacy is becoming harder to maintain, opting out of Intelius is a proactive step to protect yourself from these threats. It gives you more control over your personal information and reduces the chances of your data being misused.

Conclusion

In a world where personal privacy is constantly at risk, taking steps to protect your information is more important than ever. Opting out of Intelius is a simple way to keep your personal data from being easily accessed. Whether you prefer the convenience of using an automated service like Incogni or the more hands-on, manual approach, both methods let you take control of your information.

We’ve covered why it’s so important to opt out, especially if you’re worried about privacy, online reputation, or potential risks like stalking or identity theft. By doing so, you can reduce the chances of your information being misused.

Take action today – opt out of Intelius and other people search sites, and regularly check what personal information is floating around online. Managing your data is key to protecting your privacy and keeping your personal information secure.

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