How to Opt Out of Intelius and Protect Your Privacy Online

In today’s digital age, protecting your personal information online has become more important than ever. Data broker sites like Intelius compile and sell detailed profiles about individuals, often without their knowledge or consent.

As an online privacy expert with over a decade of experience, I’m here to walk you through the process of opting out of Intelius and taking control of your online privacy.

Why You Should Opt Out of Intelius

There are several compelling reasons to remove your personal information from Intelius:

• Invasion of Privacy: Intelius gathers sensitive data like phone numbers, addresses, and criminal records without your consent. Anyone willing to pay can access these intimate details.
• Risk of Fraud and Identity Theft: Fraudsters can use the information on Intelius to steal your identity or create synthetic identities. Removing your data reduces this risk.
• Unwanted Contact: Your Intelius profile makes you vulnerable to spam, telemarketers, and people you’d rather avoid. Opting out limits this unwanted contact.
• Professional Risks: Incorrect or outdated information on Intelius could harm your reputation if seen by employers, clients or colleagues. Removing it protects your professional image.
• Control Over Your Digital Footprint: Opting out lets you regain control over how you’re represented online and curate a more accurate public persona.

Through my work with clients, I’ve seen the real-world consequences that can result from having your personal information exposed on sites like Intelius. In one case, a client’s ex-partner used the data to stalk and harass her. Another had job offers rescinded due to an inaccurate criminal record on their profile. Opting out is a crucial step in preventing these types of situations.

Step-by-Step Guide to Opting Out of Intelius

Follow these steps I’ve refined over years of assisting clients with data removals:

1. Locate Your Profile: Search for yourself on Intelius using your name and cities you’ve lived in. Carefully check each result to find the profiles that belong to you.
2. Access the Opt-Out Website: Scroll to the bottom of the Intelius homepage and click “Do not sell or share my personal information” to open the PeopleConnect opt-out page.

3. Open the User Data Tools: Click “View public data tools” and then “Manage my suppression rules” to access the opt-out form.

4. Enter Your Email Address: Input an email address you have access to, agree to the terms, and click “Continue”. You’ll need to verify this email.

5. Verify Your Email: Open the email from Intelius and click “Verify email” to access the suppression page.

6. Enter Your Date of Birth: On the suppression page, input your date of birth, agree to terms, and click “Continue”. Providing accurate information is essential.

7. Enter Your Full Legal Name: Provide your complete legal name – first, middle, last. Check the verification box and continue.

8. Select the Record to Remove: From the list that appears, select all the records that belong to you and click “Continue”. Repeat the opt-out process for each record.

9. Verify Your Identity: Choose the email or phone verification option and enter the code sent to you to complete the identity verification step.

10. Continue Monitoring and Removal: Search for yourself on Intelius again to make sure the removal was successful. Regularly check back and repeat opt-outs as needed. Follow a similar process for other data broker sites. Follow a similar process for other data broker sites like Spokeo and PeopleFinders.

While the Intelius opt-out process is fairly straightforward, it is time-consuming, especially if you have multiple records. Based on my experience, it can take 4-6 weeks for removals to be processed. You’ll also need to regularly check back and resubmit opt-outs over time as data brokers continually re-add consumer information to their databases.

How Data Removal Services Can Help

For those who want a more comprehensive and hands-off solution, I recommend enlisting a reputable data removal service. Having reviewed and tested all the major players, I’ve found that the best data removal services offer:

• Time savings: Automated opt-outs and ongoing data monitoring eliminates the time and labor involved in DIY removals.
• Ongoing removals: Periodic scans identify and remove new records that appear, providing continuous protection.
• Broad coverage: Opt-outs from Intelius and hundreds of other data brokers for maximum online privacy.
• Additional benefits: Perks like personally identifiable information (PII) scanning, data breach alerts, and expert support.

Top Data Removal Services

Here are my top three recommendations based on hands-on testing:

1. Incogni

Incogni‘s automated data removal service covers Intelius and 150+ other data brokers for an affordable price with flexible terms. I like their clean interface and easy account setup process.

2. DeleteMe

DeleteMe has the most comprehensive coverage, removing data from Intelius along with a claimed 500+ other brokers. Their detailed privacy reports provide welcome transparency. However, they are pricier than competitors.

3. HelloPrivacy

HelloPrivacy is a relative newcomer but offers a solid all-in-one privacy solution. In addition to data removals, they provide data breach monitoring and spam list removals at a reasonable price point.

While data removal services charge a fee, I believe the convenience and peace of mind they offer is well worth the investment for most people. When choosing a service, consider your budget, desired features, and the company’s track record.

If Intelius doesn’t meet your needs, you may want to consider some Intelius alternatives for people search. And if you already have an Intelius subscription you’d like to end, see our guide on how to cancel Intelius.

Key Takeaways for Opting Out of Intelius

• Opting out of Intelius protects you from the risks of having your personal data publicly exposed.
• Follow the step-by-step Intelius opt-out process and regularly check back to ensure your information stays removed.
• Using a data removal service automates the process and provides ongoing monitoring and removals.
• Choose a reputable data removal service that covers Intelius and many other sites for maximum privacy protection.
• Combine opting out with other privacy best practices like using strong passwords and limiting social media sharing.

FAQ About Intelius Opt-Outs

1. Is it really necessary to opt out of Intelius? Yes, opting out prevents your sensitive personal data from being accessed by anyone willing to pay for an Intelius report, reducing risks like identity theft, stalking, and reputational harm.
2. Can I trust Intelius to remove my information? Intelius should remove your data if you follow their official opt-out process, but I recommend regularly checking back as data brokers continually update their records over time.
3. How long does it take Intelius to process opt-out requests? In my experience, it typically takes 4-6 weeks for Intelius to fully process a removal request, though in some cases it can take longer.
4. Do I have to pay to opt out of Intelius? No, you can opt out of Intelius for free by following the DIY steps outlined above. However, many people choose to use a paid data removal service for the convenience and ongoing monitoring they provide.
5. What other steps can I take to protect my privacy online? In addition to opting out of data brokers, I suggest using strong unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, being cautious about social media sharing, adjusting your privacy settings, and considering a VPN.