Free Serial Number Scanner: Scan a Barcode to Check if Something Is Stolen
Scan the barcode on a label, or take a photo of the printed serial number, IMEI or VIN. SafeOrStolen reads the number and checks it for theft reports, so you don't have to type 15 or 17 characters in a parking lot.
Free account needed. 2 free checks, no credit card. Last updated October 7, 2026.
Can I scan a serial number to check if an item is stolen?
Yes. On SafeOrStolen (safeorstolen.com/barcode-scanner) you can point your phone camera at a barcode or QR code on a label, or take a photo of the printed serial, IMEI or VIN, and the number is read for you and checked for theft reports. It works in your phone's browser with a free account; there is nothing to download. The first 2 checks are free.
Two ways to scan
Live barcode scanner
In your dashboard, tap Scan Code (QR, Barcode, VIN, Serial) and allow camera access. Hold the barcode inside the box on screen. When it reads, the number drops into the search box. Check that it matches the label, then run the check. Reads QR, Data Matrix, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, Codabar, ITF, EAN and UPC barcodes.
Photo of the label
On the check page, tap Attach (on a phone, choose Take Photo) or Scan on a larger screen, and photograph the label. SafeOrStolen reads the printed IMEI, VIN or serial from the picture, tells you what it found, and checks it. Use this when there is no barcode, or the barcode won't scan.
Which barcode to scan on each item
| Item | Where the barcode is | What the check gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | IMEI barcode on the original box label; or dial *#06# (some Android phones show it as a barcode) | IMEI check: make and model, theft reports, optional paid blacklist check |
| Laptop, tablet, console, camera | The S/N barcode on the bottom label, under the battery, or on the box | Serial check: theft reports and public web results |
| Car or motorcycle | The VIN barcode on the driver's door-jamb label, where the vehicle has one | VIN check: year, make, model, open recalls, theft reports |
| Power tools, appliances, TVs | The barcode on the rating plate or nameplate, if it encodes the serial | Serial check: theft reports and public web results |
| Retail box (UPC/EAN) | The large barcode on the box | Not useful: it identifies the model, not the item. Look for the S/N barcode. |
Every check searches SafeOrStolen theft reports and public web results, and lists each source it searched. The result is reported stolen, possible match, or no report found in the records searched, and it is saved to your account with the date.
Using it at a meetup
- Sign in before you leave home. The scanner and photo reader need your account, and a weak signal in a parking lot makes signing in slow.
- Scan the label on the item itself, not just the box. A box can belong to a different unit.
- On a phone, compare the scanned IMEI with Settings > About (or *#06#). On a console or laptop, compare the scanned serial with the one in its settings.
- Read the number back before you check it. A scan can pick up the wrong barcode on a crowded label, such as the model or UPC.
- The scanner needs a connection to run the check; it does not work offline.