Proof of Clean Purchase
Updated October 7, 2026
Proof of clean purchase is a dated record that you checked a used item for theft reports before you bought it. After any SafeOrStolen check, you can get a verification certificate for $1.99 (free for monthly members). It has its own link and shows the date and time of the check, the item category, the last four characters of the number, the records searched, the result and a tamper-evident hash. Keep it with your receipt.
What the certificate shows
| Field | What it is |
|---|---|
| Record ID | A readable ID like SOS-7K2M-4Q8X, also part of the link |
| Check date | The date and time of the check, in UTC and in local time |
| Category | Phone, vehicle, license plate, serial number, firearm or bicycle |
| Result | No theft report found in the records searched, or a theft or loss report matched |
| Masked identifier | Only the last four characters, like ...4821. The full number is never shown. |
| Records searched | Each source the check covered |
| Record hash (SHA-256) | Calculated from the details when the record is made. Any change to them would not match it. |
When it's worth $1.99
- You're buying something expensive from a stranger: a phone, laptop, e-bike, tools or a car.
- You're paying cash, so there's no payment record that shows when and from whom you bought.
- You plan to resell the item and want to show your buyer you checked it too.
- You're a reseller or pawn shop keeping records for each item you take in (see bulk checking).
How do I prove I didn't know something was stolen?
Show what you did before you paid. A dated record of a stolen-item check on the serial number, the listing, your messages with the seller, the receipt and how you paid all show you acted in good faith at the time. Records made at the time of the sale carry far more weight than an explanation given afterwards. SafeOrStolen's $1.99 verification certificate (safeorstolen.com/proof-of-purchase) is one such record.
What is a proof of clean purchase certificate?
It's a page with its own link that records a SafeOrStolen check: the record ID, the date and time, the item category, the last four characters of the number, the records searched, the result, and a tamper-evident hash. It costs $1.99 and is free for monthly members. It shows that you checked and what the check found. It doesn't prove ownership or replace a bill of sale.
How do I get a certificate?
Run a check on the serial number, IMEI or VIN of the item you are buying. Under the result you will see "Get a verification certificate — $1.99". Pay, and you are taken to the certificate page; copy its link and keep it with your receipt. Monthly members get the certificate at no charge. You can also send the link to the seller or anyone else who needs to see it.
Does a clean check mean the item definitely isn't stolen?
No. A clean result means no matching report was found in the records searched on that date. Plenty of thefts are never reported to any database, and some are reported days or weeks later. That's why the certificate records the date: it shows what was known when you bought, not a promise about the item's past.
What happens if I accidentally buy stolen property?
Stolen property generally still belongs to its original owner, so police can take it back even from a buyer who paid in good faith. Your money claim is against the seller. Stop using the item, report it to local police, and keep your records, including the certificate. A dated check helps show you were an innocent buyer.
Can a certificate be changed or deleted?
The details can't be edited after the record is created, and the hash on the page is calculated from them, so any change would show. The holder can delete a record. If they do, the link shows that the record was deleted by its holder rather than disappearing, so a deleted certificate can't be mistaken for one that never existed.
Get one
Check the item's serial number, IMEI or VIN. The certificate offer appears under the result. Selling instead of buying? See how to prove an item is not stolen.
Check an item — 2 free checksThis record confirms that a search was performed on the date shown and what that search returned. It is not proof of ownership, a bill of sale, or a legal document. It does not guarantee the item is not stolen — many stolen items are never reported to any database. This item was not found in any database we checked, as of the date shown.