Check If Secondhand Items Are Safe Or Stolen
The trusted verification service for buyers, sellers, and businesses worldwide
Cross-references police databases, NICB, insurance claims, and 100+ global sources in real-time. Paste a Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Craigslist link — or enter any IMEI, VIN, or serial number. Results in 3 seconds.
Why Verify Before You Buy?
Over $15 billion worth of property is stolen annually in the United States. When buying secondhand phones, cars, bikes, laptops, or electronics from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, or eBay, there is a real risk of purchasing stolen goods. SafeOrStolen is the only verification service with a mobile app that lets you check IMEI numbers for phones, VIN numbers for vehicles, and serial numbers for electronics against over 100 law enforcement, insurance, and manufacturer databases in just 3 seconds.
For Buyers
Protect yourself from buying stolen goods. Verify any item before paying. If stolen property is seized by police, you lose your money with no recourse.
For Sellers
Build buyer trust with verified listings. Share a SafeOrStolen verification certificate to prove your items are legitimate and increase sale prices.
For Businesses
Pawn shops, dealers, and resellers use SafeOrStolen to verify inventory. Bulk verification via API integration. Comply with state due diligence requirements.
Recognized by OneValley and the Entrepreneurship World Cup 2020 for innovative SaaS/Enterprise disruption · Representing the United States
Learn more →What SafeOrStolen Checks — Complete Verification Coverage
SafeOrStolen is the only verification platform that checks all item categories in one place. Whether you're buying a used phone on Facebook Marketplace, a car from Craigslist, a firearm at a gun show, or electronics from OfferUp — we verify it against law enforcement, insurance, and manufacturer databases in 3 seconds.
📱 Phones & Tablets
iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola, iPad, Surface
Identifier: IMEI Number
Check GSMA blacklist, carrier locks, insurance claims, stolen reports
🚗 Vehicles
Cars, trucks, SUVs, vans — all makes and models
Identifier: VIN Number
NICB theft records, DMV titles, salvage history, insurance claims
🔫 Firearms
Pistols, rifles, shotguns, AR-15s — all manufacturers
Identifier: Serial Number
FBI NCIC, ATF eTrace, 50 state databases, HotGunz
🎮 Gaming Consoles
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Quest VR
Identifier: Serial Number
Police databases, console bans, insurance claims, pawn records
💻 Laptops & Electronics
MacBook, Dell, HP, Lenovo, cameras, monitors, audio equipment
Identifier: Serial Number
Police reports, insurance claims, manufacturer databases
🚲 Bikes & E-Bikes
Road bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes — all brands
Identifier: Serial Number
BikeIndex, police registries, insurance, community reports
🏍️ Motorcycles
Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, BMW, Ducati
Identifier: VIN Number
NICB, DMV, insurance, law enforcement databases
⌚ Watches & Jewelry
Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, diamonds, gold jewelry
Identifier: Serial/Model Number
Police databases, insurance claims, pawn records
🔧 Power Tools
DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, Festool
Identifier: Serial Number
Contractor theft databases, police reports, insurance
How SafeOrStolen Works — Step by Step
SafeOrStolen's verification process is simple, fast, and thorough. Here's exactly what happens when you check an item:
Enter the Identifier
Enter any IMEI number (phones), VIN number (vehicles), or serial number (electronics, firearms, bikes). You can also paste a Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Craigslist listing URL and we'll extract the details automatically.
We Search 100+ Databases
In parallel, we query FBI NCIC, NICB, GSMA, ATF, all 50 state databases, DMV records, carrier blacklists, insurance claims, pawn shop records, and community databases. More sources means higher accuracy.
Get Instant Results
Within 3 seconds, you receive a clear report: SAFE (not found in any stolen database) or FLAGGED (item appears in one or more databases). Includes details on which databases flagged the item and recommended next steps.
Who Uses SafeOrStolen
Marketplace Buyers
Buyers on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, and eBay use SafeOrStolen to verify items before paying. Protect yourself from buying stolen goods — if police seize stolen property, you lose your money with no recourse.
Pawn Shops & Dealers
Pawn shops use SafeOrStolen for legal compliance. Most states require pawn shops to check stolen property databases. Our business plans include bulk verification, API integration, and compliance reporting.
Gun Dealers & Show Attendees
Gun dealers and buyers at gun shows verify serial numbers for ATF compliance and personal protection. Private sales at gun shows carry the highest risk of encountering stolen firearms.
Used Car Buyers
Vehicle buyers check VINs before purchasing from private sellers, dealerships, or auctions. SafeOrStolen costs $4.99/month vs Carfax at $44.99 per report — and checks more databases.
Electronics Resellers
Resellers at thrift stores, auction houses, and online platforms verify inventory before purchase and resale. Protect your business from unknowingly trafficking stolen goods.
Law Enforcement
Police departments and investigators use SafeOrStolen for property recovery operations and stolen goods investigations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stolen Item Verification — Protecting Buyers and Sellers
Over $15 billion worth of property is stolen annually in the United States, and a significant portion of stolen goods ends up on secondhand marketplaces including Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, eBay, and local pawn shops. For buyers, the risk is real: if you unknowingly purchase stolen property, law enforcement can seize it and you lose both the item and your money with no legal recourse. In some cases, buyers can face criminal charges for receiving stolen property, especially if the price was suspiciously low or the circumstances were questionable.
SafeOrStolen exists to solve this problem. By aggregating over 100 law enforcement, insurance, manufacturer, and community databases into a single 3-second check, we give buyers the ability to verify any item before completing a purchase. Whether it's checking an IMEI number on a used iPhone, running a VIN check on a used car, or performing a gun serial number lookup at a gun show, SafeOrStolen provides comprehensive coverage that no single database can match.
For sellers, SafeOrStolen adds trust and transparency to your listings. Share a verification certificate to prove your items are legitimate, increase buyer confidence, and command higher prices. For businesses like pawn shops, dealers, and electronics resellers, our business plans include bulk verification, API integration, compliance reporting, and audit trails to meet state due diligence requirements.
SafeOrStolen is recognized by OneValley and the Entrepreneurship World Cup for innovative SaaS disruption. We are the only verification service with a dedicated mobile app for on-the-spot verification at gun shows, pawn shops, yard sales, and marketplace meetups. Start with 2 free checks — no credit card required.