Manage Intelius

How to cancel intelius and understand your rights in new zealand

What intelius is and how it works

Intelius is an online people-search and background-check service that gives you access to public records, contact information, and detailed search reports. If you've used it for employment screening, due diligence, or reconnecting with people, you may now want to step back from the service entirely.

How the service operates

You typically subscribe for recurring access to searches or purchase one-off reports through their website or mobile apps. Most of Intelius's pricing and marketing targets U.S. customers and displays costs in USD. If you're a New Zealand user, you may have discovered limited local support options and no published New Zealand-specific address for customer service-a red flag we highlight at Stopee when assessing international services available to Kiwis.

Why new zealand users face extra friction

Intelius operates primarily as a U.S.-focused service, which means cancellation channels, billing queries, and refund policies are designed for American subscribers. As a New Zealand consumer, you benefit from stronger protections under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, which Intelius's terms may not acknowledge. That's where Stopee comes in: we help you navigate these international services and assert your local rights.

Your consumer rights under new zealand law

New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act protects you even when buying from overseas services like Intelius.

What the consumer guarantees act covers

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, you have the right to receive services with reasonable care, skill, and timeliness. If Intelius failed to provide accurate search results, made false claims about data access, or charged you without delivering the promised service, you can demand a remedy-refund, credit, or cancellation without penalty. The Fair Trading Act 1986 also protects you against misleading conduct, including hidden auto-renewal practices or unclear cancellation terms.

Your escalation options if intelius refuses

If Intelius declines your refund request or cancellation, contact the Commerce Commission or pursue a dispute through the Disputes Tribunal (for claims under NZD 15,000). Document all your communications with Intelius support. Stopee advises keeping screenshots of charges, subscription confirmations, and cancellation attempts-these evidence your case. Many consumers underestimate this leverage; the Commerce Commission has taken action against overseas businesses using non-compliant auto-renewal tactics in New Zealand.

Methods to cancel intelius

You have three main cancellation pathways depending on how you signed up.

Cancel through your web account

If you subscribed directly via Intelius's website using a credit or debit card, cancellation begins in your online account. This is the most direct route and the one Stopee recommends attempting first.

1. Sign in to your Intelius account at their website.
   • Use the email address and password associated with your subscription.
   • If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot password?" link and reset it.
2. Navigate to your account settings or subscription management section.
   • Look for tabs labeled "Subscription," "Membership," "Billing," or "Manage Account."
   • The exact label varies, but it will relate to your active service or charges.
3. Locate the cancel, downgrade, or pause option.
   • Click the button to halt your subscription.
   • You may be asked to confirm your decision or select a reason (optional feedback).
4. Confirm cancellation and save your confirmation email or reference number.
   • Screenshot or print the confirmation page showing the cancellation was processed.
   • Intelius will send you a confirmation email; keep this as proof.

Pro tip: Check your confirmation email carefully. It should state your final billing date and confirm that no charges will occur after that date. If it remains vague, escalate to support before leaving the account.

Cancel via customer support chat or phone

If self-service cancellation does not appear in your account dashboard, contact Intelius support directly. This method is slower but ensures a human representative processes your request.

1. Visit the Intelius website and find their "Contact Us" or "Support" page.
   • Look for a live chat widget or email contact form.
   • Some services hide phone numbers in the footer or help section.
2. Open a chat session or send an email requesting cancellation.
   • State clearly: "I want to cancel my Intelius subscription effective immediately."
   • Include your account email address and the phone number (if any) linked to your account.
3. Provide your cancellation reason if prompted (not required, but helpful for feedback).
   • Be honest: "Too expensive," "Don't use it," or "Found an alternative."
   • Avoid aggressive language; courtesy improves response time.
4. Ask the support agent to confirm in writing that cancellation is complete.
   • Request a ticket number or confirmation reference.
   • Ask when your final charge will occur and when access will stop.

Warning: Intelius does not maintain a published New Zealand address for complaints. If support is unresponsive, escalate to the Commerce Commission with screenshots of your support requests and timestamps.

Cancel iOS in-app purchases

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store, Apple processes your subscription and refunds, not Intelius directly. Intelius cannot cancel or refund in-app charges.

1. Open the Apple App Store app on your iPhone or iPad.
   • Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
   • Select "Subscriptions."
2. Find and tap the Intelius subscription.
   • The list shows all active and expired subscriptions tied to your Apple ID.
3. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Edit" to modify billing.
   • Follow Apple's prompts to confirm cancellation.
   • Apple will stop charging at the end of your current billing cycle.
4. Request a refund if you wish (optional).
   • Use Apple's refund request form at support.apple.com/en-us/HT204084.
   • Apple may grant a refund within 14 days of purchase for unused or faulty services.

Cancel android in-app purchases

Google Play manages subscriptions and refunds for Android apps. You manage Intelius cancellation through Google Play, not Intelius itself.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
   • Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.
   • Select "Manage my subscriptions" or "Subscriptions."
2. Tap the Intelius subscription from the list.
   • You see all active subscriptions on your Google account.
3. Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm.
   • Google will stop billing at the end of your current billing period.
   • You retain access until the final day of that cycle.
4. Request a refund if applicable.
   • Visit support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2479637 to initiate a refund request.
   • Google Play refunds are typically available within 48 hours of cancellation.

What happens after you cancel

Understanding what to expect removes uncertainty and helps you verify cancellation worked.

Your access timeline

After you cancel, your access to Intelius continues until the end of your current billing period. You will not lose immediate access, but the service will not renew at your next billing date. Many users panic when they cancel mid-cycle and believe access stops instantly; it does not. You've already paid for that billing period, so Intelius allows you to use the service through its end.

Billing and auto-renewal

Once cancellation is processed, automatic renewals stop. Your payment method will not be charged again. If you subscribed via web, the stop occurs on Intelius servers. If you used Apple or Google Play, the stop occurs within their systems-Intelius has no role in halting that charge. Stopee recommends checking your payment method's transaction history one week after your final billing date to confirm no surprise charge appears.

Your account and personal data

Intelius may retain your account information (email, payment history, searches you've run) according to their data retention policy. If you wish to request deletion of personal data, contact support and reference the Privacy Act 2020, which gives you the right to access and request deletion of personal information held by overseas service providers. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers press international companies on data deletion; don't assume silence means deletion has occurred.

Refund policy and how to request money back

Intelius publishes a blanket no-refund policy, but New Zealand law may override it in certain situations.

Intelius's official stance

Intelius terms state that fees paid for services, including automatic renewals, are non-refundable. They treat all charges as final once processed. This policy is their default position in their terms and conditions, but it is not immune to challenge under New Zealand consumer law.

When you may qualify for a refund despite the policy

• Service was not delivered as described (e.g., search results were inaccurate or unavailable).
• Charges were duplicated or unauthorised (e.g., you were billed twice in one month).
• Auto-renewal was not clearly disclosed before the first charge.
• You cancelled within a reasonable trial period (14 days is standard for digital services).
• The service breached the Consumer Guarantees Act (lack of reasonable care or fitness for purpose).

How to request a refund from intelius

1. For web/credit-card charges: contact Intelius support via chat or email.
   • Write: "I request a refund for my subscription charged [date] because [reason: service not provided as described, unauthorised charge, etc.]."
   • Include your account email, the charge date, and the amount in NZD (converted from USD if needed).
   • Attach screenshots of the charge and any failed searches or service issues.
2. For iOS purchases: request a refund through Apple.
   • Visit support.apple.com/en-us/HT204084 and submit a refund request.
   • State the reason: "Service did not work as described" or "Accidental purchase."
   • Apple will investigate and typically respond within 5-10 business days.
3. For Android purchases: request a refund through Google Play.
   • Go to support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2479637.
   • Select the Intelius transaction and click "Report a problem."
   • Explain why you want a refund and submit; Google typically responds in 24-48 hours.
4. If Intelius or the app store refuses, escalate to the Commerce Commission.
   • File a complaint at commerce.govt.nz with copies of all correspondence.
   • Reference the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the amount sought.

Pro tip: The 14-day cooling-off period applies to digital services purchased online in New Zealand. If you cancelled within 14 days of your first charge and the service was unused or faulty, you have a strong case for a refund. Stopee recommends citing this explicitly in your refund request.

Intelius pricing and plans

Understanding what you're paying helps you decide whether cancellation is the right move.

Pricing is listed in USD and often converted to NZD by your bank at the time of purchase. No official New Zealand pricing in NZD has been identified, and no evidence suggests Intelius markets itself directly to Kiwi consumers. If you're paying in NZD, you're likely on an in-app subscription or using a credit card with currency conversion-both add cost.

Common mistakes when cancelling intelius

Cancelling an online subscription feels straightforward until something goes wrong. Many New Zealand users make the same errors, so here's how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: cancelling only in the app, not your account

If you manage your subscription through the Intelius mobile app, cancelling there does not always sync to your web account. Some users cancel in-app, believe they're done, then discover a web subscription still auto-renews. Always verify cancellation in both places: your Intelius web account and the app store (Apple or Google Play) you used to sign up.

Mistake 2: forgetting to cancel the auto-renewal, just deleting the app

Deleting the Intelius app from your phone does not stop billing. The subscription lives in Apple's servers or Google Play, not on your device. You must cancel the subscription in the app store settings, not just remove the app. Stopee has seen hundreds of users surprised by a charge months after deleting the app.

Mistake 3: not keeping cancellation confirmation

If Intelius charges you after cancellation, you need proof you cancelled. Screenshot or email yourself the confirmation page, save the confirmation email, and note the reference number and date. Without this evidence, you'll struggle to dispute a charge with your bank or the Commerce Commission.

Mistake 4: trusting verbal cancellation over written

If a support agent tells you "Your subscription is cancelled" via chat, that's not enough. Ask them to email you a confirmation with your name, account email, final billing date, and a reference number. Verbal or chat-only cancellations are hard to prove if a charge appears later.

Mistake 5: not checking your statement after your final billing date

One week after your billing period ends, check your credit card or bank statement. Confirm no surprise charge from Intelius appeared. If one did, contact your bank immediately to dispute it; you have strong grounds if you have cancellation proof.

Is cancelling intelius right for you?

Not everyone needs to cancel; some users benefit from keeping the subscription. Here's how to decide.

Reasons to keep intelius

• You regularly run background checks for employment or volunteer roles.
• You use it for family tracing or reconnecting with contacts.
• The cost is manageable in your budget and provides genuine value.
• You've found the data accurate and useful in past searches.

Reasons to cancel intelius

• You signed up for a free trial and forgot to cancel before being charged.
• You've never used the service since subscribing.
• The cost in NZD has become unaffordable.
• Search results were inaccurate, incomplete, or not as advertised.
• You found a cheaper or better alternative.
• You're uncomfortable with how the company handles personal data.
• You no longer need background-check services.

If any of the second list resonates, cancellation is the logical choice. Stopee recommends cancelling if you've used the service fewer than three times in the past three months; the cost-to-value ratio is poor.

Checklist before you finish

Use this checklist to confirm your cancellation is complete and protect yourself from surprise charges.

• Cancellation confirmed: You have a confirmation email or screenshot showing cancellation was processed.
• Reference number saved: You've noted the cancellation reference number, date, and support agent name (if applicable).
• Final billing date known: You know the exact date Intelius will stop charging you.
• App and web account both checked: You've confirmed cancellation in your Intelius web account and your Apple/Google Play account (if you used in-app billing).
• Statement monitored: You've set a reminder to check your bank statement one week after the final billing date.
• Payment method updated (optional): You've removed Intelius's billing access from your card if you want an extra safeguard.
• Data deletion requested (optional): You've asked Intelius to delete your personal data if privacy concerns drove your cancellation.

Comparing intelius to alternatives

Before you cancel entirely, consider whether a cheaper or better service suits your needs.

If you're in New Zealand and searching for people in New Zealand, government databases (Births, Deaths & Marriages) are free and far more accurate than Intelius. Stopee recommends exploring free options first before paying for any subscription service.

Contact intelius for cancellation help

If your cancellation does not go smoothly, contact Intelius directly. Note that the service operates from the United States and maintains no published New Zealand office address.

Available contact methods

• Web support: Use the chat widget on the Intelius website (found in the help or support section).
• Email: Look for a support email address in the website footer or "Contact Us" page.
• Phone: Phone numbers (if available) are typically U.S.-based and may incur international call charges from New Zealand.
• Mailing address: Intelius does not publish a New Zealand-specific postal address. Any mailed cancellation request would go to the U.S. head office, adding delays.

Warning: If Intelius support does not respond within 10 business days or refuses to process your cancellation, escalate to the Commerce Commission at commerce.govt.nz with copies of all communication attempts.

Summary and next steps

Cancelling Intelius is straightforward if you follow the right method for your subscription type (web account, iOS, or Android). New Zealand consumer law gives you strong protections: the Consumer Guarantees Act ensures you can demand a refund if the service failed to meet reasonable standards, and the Fair Trading Act protects you against misleading auto-renewal practices. Many Kiwis overpay for U.S.-focused background-check services when free New Zealand government databases are available locally.

Take these three immediate steps: (1) cancel using the correct method for your subscription source, (2) save your cancellation confirmation, and (3) monitor your bank statement one week after your final billing date. If Intelius charges you after cancellation or refuses a valid refund request, you have legal ground to dispute it through your bank or the Commerce Commission.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and reclaim refunds from overseas companies. Our guides are designed to empower you with the practical steps and legal knowledge to cancel with confidence. Visit Stopee today to explore cancellation guides for hundreds of services, and remember: your consumer rights apply even to services operating from overseas. Don't let a company's "no refund" policy silence your legitimate claim.