# SerialCheck — Australia's Stolen Property Serial Number Registry > SerialCheck is a free, community-driven platform that helps Australians protect and recover stolen property by maintaining a public serial number registry. ## About SerialCheck SerialCheck was built to give everyday Australians a simple, practical tool to fight property theft. Every year, thousands of Australians have their belongings stolen — bikes taken from front yards, tools nicked from utes, laptops lifted from cafes, instruments gone from rehearsal spaces. Too often, stolen goods end up resold on platforms like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, or through pawn shops, and the original owners never see them again. The problem is not a lack of caring — it is a lack of infrastructure. Most people do not record their serial numbers until it is too late. And even when they do, there has been no simple, centralised place to check whether a second-hand item might be stolen before handing over cash. SerialCheck exists to close that gap. It is a free, community-driven registry where Australians can register the serial numbers of their belongings, report items as stolen, and allow buyers to check serial numbers before purchasing second-hand goods. SerialCheck is not connected to any police or government database. It is an independent, community-maintained platform. The information in the registry is submitted by users and should be used as one tool among many when assessing the legitimacy of a second-hand purchase. ## How It Works ### Step 1: Register Your Items Create a free account and add your belongings. For each item, enter the serial number, brand, model, category, and optionally upload photos and a description. This creates a timestamped, digital proof-of-ownership record. ### Step 2: Get a SerialCheck Record Once registered, your item appears in the SerialCheck database. If anyone searches for that serial number, they will see that it is registered to a verified owner. This acts as a deterrent to thieves and gives buyers confidence. ### Step 3: Report Stolen (If Needed) If an item is stolen, log in and mark it as stolen. You can add details including the date and location of theft, police report number, circumstances, and whether a reward is offered. This creates a public stolen alert that anyone can see when they check the serial number. ### Step 4: Check Before You Buy Anyone can check a serial number for free without creating an account. Enter a serial number on the home page and instantly see whether it has been reported stolen, is registered to an owner, is listed for sale, or is not in the database. ## Item Statuses - **Registered**: Item is recorded in the database with a verified owner - **Stolen**: Item has been reported stolen — do not purchase - **For Sale**: Owner has marked the item as available for sale - **Sold**: Owner has marked the item as sold - **Not Found**: Serial number is not in the database (does not guarantee the item is legitimate) ## Supported Item Categories - **Musical Instruments**: Guitars, keyboards, drums, brass, woodwind, etc. - **Power Tools**: Drills, saws, grinders, compressors, etc. - **Electronics**: Laptops, phones, tablets, gaming consoles, etc. - **Bicycles**: Road bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes, BMX, etc. - **Cameras**: DSLR, mirrorless, lenses, video cameras, etc. - **Jewellery**: Watches, rings, necklaces with serial numbers or engravings - **Other**: Any item with a unique serial number or identifier ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What items can be registered on SerialCheck? Any item that has a unique serial number, including musical instruments, power tools, electronics, bicycles, cameras, jewellery, and more. If it has a serial number, model number, or other unique identifier, you can add it to the registry. ### Is SerialCheck connected to the police or a government database? No. SerialCheck is an independent, community-driven platform. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any police force, government agency, or official crime database. Always report stolen property to your local police as well. ### What happens if a serial number match is found? If someone checks a serial number and it matches a stolen item, they will see a clear warning with details from the stolen report, including the date and location of theft, police report number, and how to contact the owner. They are advised not to purchase the item and to contact police. ### Is my personal data kept private? Your email address and personal details are never displayed publicly. Only the item details (brand, model, serial number, category) and your general location (if provided) are visible. Stolen alerts display theft details but not the owner's personal information. See the Privacy Policy for full details. ### How do I report a stolen item? Log in to your account, find the item in your dashboard, and click "Report Stolen". You will be asked to provide the date and approximate location of the theft, a police report number (if available), and a description of the circumstances. ### Can I check a serial number without creating an account? Yes. Checking serial numbers is completely free and does not require an account. Simply enter the serial number on the home page and click "Check". ### Is SerialCheck free to use? Yes. SerialCheck is free for everyone — both checking and registering items. There are no premium tiers or hidden fees. ### How accurate is the database? The database relies on information submitted by users. SerialCheck does not independently verify serial numbers or ownership claims. The accuracy of the data depends on the honesty and diligence of the community. Always use SerialCheck as one tool alongside other due diligence when buying second-hand. ### What proof do I need to register an item? There is no mandatory proof required to register. However, uploading photos of the item (including the serial number plate) and keeping purchase receipts strengthens your ownership record and is helpful if a dispute arises. ### Can I register items on behalf of a business or fleet? Yes. You can register multiple items under a single account. This is useful for tradespeople, musicians, photography studios, bike shops, and any business that wants to protect its equipment. ### What should I do if I find my stolen item for sale online? Do not confront the seller. Contact your local police and provide them with the listing details, your police report number, and your SerialCheck record. Police can arrange to recover the item safely. ### How do I transfer ownership when I sell an item? When you sell a registered item, mark it as "Sold" in your dashboard. The buyer can then create their own account and register the item under their name with the serial number. ## Blog Articles ### How to Protect Your Bike from Theft in Australia Covers Australian bike theft statistics, types of locks (U-locks, chain locks, folding locks), smart locking techniques, the importance of registering serial numbers, photographing and documenting your bike, and steps to take if your bike is stolen. ### Why You Should Always Check the Serial Number Before Buying Second-Hand Covers the legal risks of unknowingly buying stolen property in Australia (receiving stolen goods is a criminal offence), how to locate serial numbers on common items, how to use SerialCheck to verify, red flags when buying second-hand, and tips for safe purchases on Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay. ### What to Do If Your Property Is Stolen: A Step-by-Step Guide for Australians A seven-step guide covering: securing your property immediately, reporting to police (with state-by-state information), documenting what was stolen, using SerialCheck to create stolen alerts, monitoring online marketplaces, lodging insurance claims, and prevention tips for the future. ## Pages - [Home](https://serialcheck.com.au/) — Serial number search and recent stolen alerts - [About](https://serialcheck.com.au/about) — What SerialCheck is and why it exists - [How It Works](https://serialcheck.com.au/how-it-works) — Step-by-step guide to using the platform - [FAQ](https://serialcheck.com.au/faq) — Answers to common questions - [Blog](https://serialcheck.com.au/blog) — Tips and guides for protecting your property - [Browse Stolen Items](https://serialcheck.com.au/stolen) — Browse all current stolen alerts - [Privacy Policy](https://serialcheck.com.au/privacy-policy) — How we handle your data - [Terms of Service](https://serialcheck.com.au/terms-of-service) — Terms of use ## Technical Details - Built with Laravel, Vue 3, and Inertia.js with server-side rendering - Hosted in Australia - Contact: hello@serialcheck.com.au - Privacy enquiries: privacy@serialcheck.com.au