Transparency at SafeOrStolen
We believe you deserve to know exactly how we verify items, where our data comes from, and how we protect your privacy. No black boxes, no hidden agendas.
Our Data Sources
SafeOrStolen aggregates data from 100+ sources to provide comprehensive stolen item verification. Here's where we get our data:
Law Enforcement Databases
- NCIC (National Crime Information Center): FBI's database of stolen property, including vehicles and firearms
- State Law Enforcement Systems: Direct connections to state police stolen property databases
- International Police Databases: Interpol and regional law enforcement records
Industry Databases
- GSMA IMEI Database: Global blacklist maintained by mobile carriers worldwide
- NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau): Insurance company stolen vehicle records
- Carrier Blacklists: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and other carrier-specific blacklists
Consumer Reports
- SafeOrStolen Community: User-submitted stolen item reports (verified before inclusion)
- Partner Platforms: Data sharing agreements with pawn shops and resale platforms
Data Accuracy Commitment
Our databases are updated every 15 minutes. We maintain 99.2% accuracy based on independent audits. When discrepancies are found, we investigate within 24 hours.
Verification Methodology
When you submit an IMEI, VIN, or serial number, here's exactly what happens:
- Format Validation: We verify the identifier follows correct format (15-digit IMEI, 17-character VIN, etc.)
- Parallel Queries: Your query simultaneously hits all relevant databases (average 47 databases per check)
- Result Aggregation: Results are compiled and any matches flagged
- Confidence Scoring: We assign confidence levels based on source reliability and recency
- Report Generation: Final report delivered in under 3 seconds
What "Stolen" Means
An item is flagged as "stolen" when it appears in one or more of our source databases with an active theft report. This could mean:
- Police report filed by original owner
- Insurance claim paid for theft
- Carrier blacklisted the device (for phones)
- Community report verified by our team
What "Safe" Means
A "safe" result means the item does not appear in any of our databases as stolen or blacklisted. This is a strong indicator but not an absolute guarantee—if the theft was never reported, we won't have a record of it.
Privacy Practices
What We Collect
- • Identifiers you search (IMEI, VIN, serial)
- • Account info (email, name) if registered
- • Basic usage analytics
What We Never Do
- • Sell your data to third parties
- • Track your location
- • Share searches with law enforcement (unless legally required)
Data Security
- • TLS 1.3 encryption in transit
- • AES-256 encryption at rest
- • SOC 2 Type II compliant infrastructure
Your Rights
- • Request data deletion anytime
- • Export your search history
- • Opt out of marketing communications
Company Information
SafeOrStolen is a registered business based in Peoria, Arizona, USA. We're backed by FasterCapital's Tech Co-Founder program and recognized by OneValley as an innovative startup.
- Founded: 2024
- Headquarters: Peoria, AZ, USA
- Mission: Protect consumers from unknowingly buying stolen property
We're committed to building trust through transparency. If you have questions about our practices, contact us at transparency@safeorstolen.com.