SafeOrStolen Blog
Plain guides to checking secondhand items before you buy, and what to do if something looks stolen
How to Check if a Phone is Stolen Before Buying in 2026
How to find the IMEI, run a stolen and blacklist check, and spot the red flags at the meetup before you pay for a used phone.
Carfax and Free VIN Alternatives: Complete 2026 Guide
What a paid Carfax report tells you that a free VIN check doesn't, and which free checks to run first when you want to know if a car is stolen.
How to Check if a Phone is Stolen Before Buying in 2026
How to find the IMEI, run a stolen and blacklist check, and spot the red flags at the meetup before you pay for a used phone.
How AI is Transforming Stolen Item Detection in 2026
What AI chat assistants like ChatGPT and Claude can and can't tell you about whether an item is stolen, and why a check against real theft reports still matters.
Complete VIN Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Where to find a Vehicle Identification Number, what each part of it means, and how to use it to check a car before you buy.
Facebook Marketplace Safety Guide 2026
How to avoid scams and stolen goods on Facebook Marketplace in 2026. Verification tips, red flags, and how to use SafeOrStolen before buying.
Ultimate Marketplace Buyer's Guide
Protect yourself on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist with this safety guide for secondhand purchases.
Complete IMEI Guide: Protect Yourself
Everything you need to know about IMEI numbers, blacklist checks, and protecting yourself from buying stolen or blacklisted smartphones.
Firearm Serial Number Verification Guide
How to verify firearm serial numbers legally and safely. Check if guns are stolen before purchasing from private sellers.
Bicycle Stolen Serial Number Check Guide
Complete guide to finding and checking bicycle serial numbers. Verify if a bike is stolen before buying from Craigslist or marketplace.
Pawn Shop Stolen Item Verification
How pawn shops and resale stores can check serial numbers for theft reports before taking items in, including bulk checks.
How to Check if iPhone is Stolen
Step-by-step guide to verify any iPhone isn't stolen or blacklisted. IMEI check, Activation Lock, and SafeOrStolen verification.
Scammer Tactics Exposed: Protect Yourself
Learn the most common scammer tactics used in secondhand marketplaces and how to protect yourself from fraud and stolen goods.
Theft Trends Report 2024
Which items thieves target, how stolen goods get resold, and what that means for secondhand buyers.