SafeOrStolen vs asking the police
We search public police records where they exist, plus our own stolen-item reports.
| SafeOrStolen | Your local police | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 2 free checks with a free account, then $0.99 per check or $10/month unlimited. | Free, when a department agrees to run a check. |
| What it searches | A 2017 multi-state file of police gun theft and loss reports, live Ohio Attorney General stolen-gun records, Arizona law-enforcement stolen-vehicle records (TheftAZ), the Bike Index registry for bikes, and SafeOrStolen's own reports. | State or local records, depending on the department. |
| Availability | Online, any time. Results in seconds. | Depends on the department. Many will not run checks for private buyers. |
When to use each
Run a SafeOrStolen check first. It is fast and shows exactly what was searched. If you still have doubts, or the item is a gun or a car, ask your local police on their non-emergency line whether they will run it. If anything shows as stolen, do not buy, do not confront the seller, and contact police.
Questions
Will police check a serial number for me?
Some departments will, when their policy allows. Call the non-emergency line and ask.
Which police records does SafeOrStolen search?
A 2017 multi-state file of police gun theft and loss reports, live Ohio Attorney General stolen-gun records, and Arizona law-enforcement stolen-vehicle records, plus our own reports.
What does SafeOrStolen cost?
2 free checks with a free account, then $0.99 per check or $10/month unlimited.
What does it mean if nothing is found?
No record found means the item was not found in the sources searched. It does not mean the item is safe or not stolen.
SafeOrStolen results are not a guarantee. "Not found" means not found in the sources searched, not safe.
Check an item