Check if a used phone, car, gun, tool, or bike was reported stolen.
Paste the phone's IMEI, the car's VIN or license plate, or the serial number on the item.
Check for free. No credit card.
Need just one verification? Pay $0.99 with a free account. Verifying often? Get $10/month unlimited with the seller badge, installable web app, and verification certificates included. Cancel anytime, 30-day refund.
What do you want to check?
Pick the kind of item. Each check searches every source that applies to it at the same time and lists them in the result.
Most searchedGun Serial Number Lookup
Police theft reports from 33 states and DC, plus live Ohio records
Vehicle VIN Check
Theft reports, year, make, model and open recalls
Phone IMEI Check
Theft reports and the phone model, plus an optional blacklist check
License Plate Lookup
Stolen check by plate, with Arizona police records for AZ plates
Bicycle Serial Check
Frame serial checked against a national stolen-bike registry
Electronics, Power Tools & Appliances
Laptops, consoles, cameras, tools and anything with a serial number
On your phoneScan Barcode or QR
Point your phone camera at a barcode instead of typing
Paste Listing URL
Paste a Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist or eBay link
See What You Get — Instantly
Here's a real example of a SafeOrStolen verification result. Every check uses SafeOrStolen reports, public web results, and AI analysis, returning a clear verdict in about 3 seconds.
+ more databases checked
✓ SAFE TO PROCEED
This device has no theft reports and no carrier blacklisting across all checked databases. The IMEI structure is valid and matches an Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max manufactured in Q3 2024.
What if an item is flagged?
If an item comes back as STOLEN or FLAGGED, you'll see exactly which database flagged it, what was reported, and step-by-step instructions on what to do next. Never buy a stolen item accidentally.
How a check works
Enter the number
Type or scan the IMEI, VIN, serial number or license plate, or paste a Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or Craigslist link and SafeOrStolen pulls out the number for you.
Every source searched at once
SafeOrStolen theft reports and public web results on every check, plus police gun theft reports from 33 states and DC, live Ohio records, a national stolen-bike registry and Arizona stolen-vehicle records where they apply.
Read the result
Reported stolen, possible match, or no report found, with each source listed. The check is saved to your account with the date, and you can add a $1.99 certificate to share.
Watch a check from start to finish
A short video of a real check on a used item.
Show buyers you checked
before you listed it
More buyers ask whether an item is stolen before they pay. Check your item's serial number, then add the dated certificate link to your listing so the buyer can see what you checked and when.
Verification Record
Generate a shareable Proof of Clean Purchase record showing what was checked and when
Shareable Link
Send buyers a direct link to your verified result — no login required to view
Results in Seconds
Check before you list, so a buyer never finds the problem first
Clear Context
Give buyers a dated record they can review alongside the identifier and your ownership documents
Check every item at intake,
and keep the record
Many states require pawn shops and secondhand dealers to record serial numbers and report purchases to police. SafeOrStolen adds a stolen check at the counter: unlimited checks for one monthly price, a bulk check for up to 100 items at a time, and a dated record of every check.
- ✓Unlimited checks for $10 a month
- ✓Bulk check: paste or upload up to 100 items at once
- ✓Download a dated results file for your records
- ✓Every check saved to your account with the date
- ✓Gun serials checked against police theft reports
- ✓Certificates you can show a customer
- Unlimited checks
- Up to 20 phone blacklist checks a month
- Bulk check for up to 100 items
- Verification certificates included
- Every check saved with the date
Share Your Verification. Help Others Stay Safe.
Every verified item generates a shareable report. Post it in your listing, send it to buyers, or share with friends who are about to buy secondhand. Every share helps fight stolen goods.
Add to Your Listing
Paste your verification link directly into your Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or Craigslist listing. Buyers can open it and see the date you checked and what the check found.
Send to a Friend
Know someone buying a used phone or car? Send them SafeOrStolen. Two free checks — no excuses.
PDF Certificate
Download a timestamped PDF proof of verification. Attach it to listings, emails, or keep for your records.
Every share helps protect someone from buying stolen goods
Check from your phone at the meetup
Install the free web app from your browser. Scan a barcode or type the number, at a garage sale, gun show, pawn shop or car lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if something is stolen before I buy it?▼
How do I check if a phone is stolen?▼
How do I check if a used car is stolen?▼
How do I check if a gun is stolen?▼
Can I check a Facebook Marketplace listing?▼
What does SafeOrStolen search?▼
How much does SafeOrStolen cost?▼
Can a license plate lookup tell me who owns a car?▼
Can I show a buyer that my item checked clean?▼
What should I do if an item comes back stolen?▼
Does SafeOrStolen work for pawn shops and dealers?▼
Check it before you pay
If you buy something that turns out to be stolen, police can return it to the owner and you usually lose what you paid. It takes a few seconds, and your first 2 checks are free.
Run a free check2 free checks · No credit card · Every source listed