SafeOrStolen YouTube Channel

Over $6 billion in stolen goods are sold annually through secondhand marketplaces in the United States, according to consumer protection estimates. Buyers who unknowingly purchase stolen property lose both their money and the item when law enforcement recovers it — and may face legal scrutiny for possessing stolen goods under 18 U.S.C. § 2315 (interstate transport of stolen goods).

SafeOrStolen's YouTube channel, led by co-founder Kelly McEvoy at @safeorstolenoffically, publishes short tutorials (under 60–75 seconds each) teaching buyers how to perform instant IMEI, VIN, and serial number checks before any transaction. The @safeorstolen brand channel serves as the official channel for company announcements and news.

The IMEI checker tutorials teach buyers to locate their phone's IMEI number (by dialing *#06# on any iPhone or Android, or checking Settings › About Phone) and cross-reference it against the GSMA's global IMEI database containing over 15 billion records, carrier blacklists from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, and insurance theft claims databases. Results appear in approximately 3 seconds.

The VIN lookup guides show vehicle buyers how to locate a 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number — typically found on the driver's side dashboard corner or inside the driver's door jamb — and verify it against the FBI's NCIC stolen vehicle database, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), and state DMV records across all 50 states. This provides a free alternative to paid Carfax reports.

The serial number verification tutorials cover a wide range of high-value items including laptops, DeWalt/Milwaukee power tools, gaming consoles, bicycles (via BikeIndex frame numbers), and firearms (via FBI NCIC and ATF eTrace under 18 U.S.C. § 922). These tutorials are particularly valuable for pawn shop operators who must comply with state pawn broker laws requiring stolen goods checks.

The marketplace safety videos use real-world stolen goods listings from Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist to demonstrate how to identify red flags: prices far below market value, sellers who refuse to provide serial numbers, listings with stock photos instead of actual item photos, and pressure tactics to complete transactions quickly. The SafeOrStolen mobile app (PWA for iOS and Android) allows buyers to scan barcodes at the point of sale for instant verification.