How to Read a Stolen Check Result
A stolen check gives you one of three answers. "Reported stolen" means a theft record matched the number: don't buy. "Possible match" means something turned up that needs a closer look. "No report found in the records searched" means nothing matched in the sources listed, which is a good sign but not proof. What you do next depends on the result and on the item.
Each result, and what to do
| Result | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Reported stolen | A theft record matched the exact number. The result names which record. | Don't buy. Leave calmly, keep the messages and listing, call the police non-emergency line. |
| Possible match | A lead, not a theft record: a web mention of the number, or a serial that looks altered. | Read the details. Ask the seller for a receipt or title. For guns and cars, ask the police to run it. |
| No report found in the records searched | Nothing matched in the sources listed on the result. | Go ahead with the in-person checks below. A clean result plus clean paperwork is a good sign. |
| "Check this number" warning | The number doesn't fit the expected format, like a 14-digit IMEI or a VIN with the letter O. | Re-read it off the item. If the item itself carries an impossible number, treat that as a red flag. |
Read the sources line first
Before the headline result, look at the list of sources underneath. A clean result on a gun serial that was searched against police theft records from 33 states and DC plus Ohio's live records tells you more than a clean result on a laptop serial, which is only searched against SafeOrStolen's own theft reports and the open web. The result is only as wide as that list. How each source is chosen and weighed is on the how SafeOrStolen works page.
After a clean result: the checks that still matter
- Phone: no check can see Activation Lock or a Google account lock. Have the seller go to Settings, sign out of their Apple ID or Google account, and erase the phone while you watch. The setup screen should then say Hello, not ask for someone else's password.
- Car or motorcycle: match the VIN on the dashboard, the door jamb sticker and the title, and the name on the title to the seller's ID. A VIN check doesn't see title brands held by the DMV.
- Gun: look closely at the serial for grinding, uneven stamping or fresh finish around it. Possessing a gun with an obliterated serial is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 922(k). Follow your state's rules for private transfers.
- Bike: flip it and read the serial under the bottom bracket yourself. Fresh paint or a sticker over that spot is a warning sign.
- Tools and electronics: a scratched-off nameplate, engraved initials or a box of new-in-package items with no receipt are the usual giveaways.
After a 'reported stolen' result
- Stay calm and don't accuse the seller. Say you've changed your mind and leave somewhere public and safe.
- Screenshot the listing, the seller's profile and your messages before they disappear.
- Call the police non-emergency line and give them the number you checked and where the item is listed.
- If you already paid, tell the police that too. Handing over a stolen item yourself is far better than being found with it.
If the item is yours and it shows up for sale, see how to report a stolen item.
When results don't agree with what you see
If the item looks fine but the result says reported stolen, re-enter the number character by character. Letters O and I are never used in a VIN, and IMEIs are always 15 digits. If it still matches, trust the record over the seller's story. If the result is clean but the serial plate is scratched or the seller won't let you see it, trust what you see over the result.
Questions people ask
What does 'no report found' mean on a stolen check?
It means none of the records the check searched had a theft report for that number. It doesn't prove the item was never stolen, because many thefts are reported only to local police. On SafeOrStolen (safeorstolen.com) the result lists every source searched, so you can see exactly what came back clean. Pair it with in-person checks before paying.
What should I do if a check says 'reported stolen'?
Don't buy the item, and don't accuse the seller face to face. Leave politely, keep the listing, messages and the seller's profile, and call your local police non-emergency line with the number you checked. If you already bought it, call the police yourself; turning it in early protects you far better than waiting to be contacted.
What does 'possible match' mean?
Something turned up that's worth reading, but no theft record matched. Usually it's a web page or post that mentions the same number, or a gun serial that looks altered. Open the details and read the source. If it's a 'stolen, please share' post with matching photos, treat it as stolen. If it's an unrelated listing, it may be nothing.
Can a stolen item check be wrong?
Yes. A clean result can miss an unreported theft or one reported only to local police. A match can come from a mistyped serial or an old report never closed after recovery. That's why a good check names the record that matched and when. If a result surprises you, re-enter the number carefully and run it again.
Should I save a stolen check result?
Yes. A dated record shows you checked before you paid, which matters if the item later turns out to be stolen. SafeOrStolen saves signed-in checks to your account with the date. A $1.99 verification certificate, free for monthly members, gives you a dated record with its own link to show a buyer or keep with your receipt.