Coming soon, not available yet
Text to Check if Something Is Stolen
Updated October 7, 2026
You can't check an item by text message yet. SafeOrStolen plans to let you text a serial number, IMEI or VIN and get the result back by SMS, but it isn't working today and there's no number to text. To check something now, use safeorstolen.com on your phone's browser or the free installable app. Your first 2 checks are free.
What to use instead, today
Check in your browser
Works on any smartphone or computer with a data connection. Type the number and get a result in a few seconds.
Run a checkInstall the web app
Add SafeOrStolen to your home screen from Safari or Chrome. Same checks, opens full screen. Free.
How to installChecking a lot of items?
Pawn shops and dealers can check many serial numbers at once from a computer.
Bulk checkWhere to find the number to check
| Item | Number | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | IMEI | Dial *#06# |
| Car or motorcycle | VIN | Driver's side dashboard, door jamb sticker, title |
| Gun | Serial | Frame or receiver |
| Bike | Frame serial | Under the bottom bracket |
| Laptop, tool, camera | Serial | Label or nameplate on the case |
Questions
Can I text a serial number or IMEI to check if it is stolen?
Not yet. SafeOrStolen's text-message check is coming soon but isn't available today, and there is no number to text. For now, open safeorstolen.com/verify in your phone's browser, or install the free web app from safeorstolen.com/app, and type the serial, IMEI or VIN there. The first 2 checks are free with an account.
When will SMS checks be available?
There's no launch date yet. This page will change when it's live, and the number to text will be published here and nowhere else. Until then, treat any message or site claiming to be a SafeOrStolen text-check number as not from SafeOrStolen.
How do I check an item at a meetup with weak signal?
Ask the seller to text you the serial, IMEI or VIN before you meet, and run the check at home where you have a good connection. At the meetup, read the number off the item yourself and make sure it matches. A check on the website or app needs a data connection; a text-based check doesn't exist yet.