About SerialCheck
SerialCheck is a free, community-driven registry where Australians can record the serial numbers of their valuables and report items that have been stolen. Whether it's a guitar, a power tool, a laptop, or a bicycle, if it has a serial number, it belongs on SerialCheck.
Why we built this
Property theft is one of the most common crimes in Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, hundreds of thousands of households are affected each year, and the emotional and financial toll extends far beyond the value of the items taken. Yet recovering stolen goods remains incredibly difficult. Police resources are stretched thin, and most victims never see their belongings again.
One of the biggest barriers to recovery is surprisingly simple: people don't have their serial numbers written down when they need them most. When police recover stolen property — and they do, regularly — they often can't return it because there's no record linking the item to its owner. A recovered laptop without a serial number on file is just an unclaimed laptop.
SerialCheck was created to close that gap. By giving everyday Australians a straightforward place to register serial numbers before something goes wrong, and a way to flag items when it does, we make it harder for stolen property to be resold without being recognised — and easier for rightful owners to prove what's theirs.
How it works
Registering your gear is quick and free. Create an account, add your items with their serial numbers, brand, model, and photos, and you've got a timestamped proof-of-ownership record that's ready when you need it. The whole process takes about two minutes per item.
If the worst happens, mark your item as stolen with a single click. SerialCheck creates a public alert so that anyone searching for that serial number — whether a buyer on Gumtree, a pawnbroker, or someone browsing Facebook Marketplace — will immediately see the warning. It's a simple layer of defence that makes stolen goods harder to move and easier to return.
On the buying side, anyone can search a serial number for free without an account. If you're buying something second-hand, a quick check on SerialCheck tells you instantly whether the item has been reported stolen — protecting both you and the rightful owner.
Who uses SerialCheck
SerialCheck is built for anyone who owns something worth protecting. That includes musicians who tour with expensive instruments, tradies with ute-loads of power tools, cyclists, photographers, families with electronics at home, and businesses managing equipment and assets. It's also for anyone buying second-hand who wants to make sure they're not inadvertently purchasing stolen goods.
Our values
Free and accessible. We believe property protection shouldn't cost money. SerialCheck is free to use — no premium tiers, no hidden fees, no trial periods. Registering items and checking serial numbers will always be free for everyone.
Privacy by design. Your personal information is never displayed publicly. When a stolen item match is found, all communication is facilitated through the platform. We don't sell data, we don't share it with third parties, and we don't use it for advertising.
Community powered. SerialCheck isn't a government database or a corporate product. It's a community tool that works because ordinary Australians use it. The more people who register their gear and check serial numbers before buying, the harder it becomes for stolen property to circulate.
Independent and Australian. SerialCheck is built and maintained independently in Australia. We're not affiliated with any government agency, police force, or commercial enterprise. Our only agenda is making it harder for thieves to profit and easier for owners to recover their property.
Community first
SerialCheck isn't run by a corporation. It's an independent, Australian-built project organised around one idea: neighbours looking out for each other. The registry works because ordinary people use it — registering their own property, checking serial numbers before buying second-hand, and sharing the site with their mates. Every item registered makes the network stronger and stolen property a little less profitable.
Think of it like a neighbourhood watch for serial numbers. When a buyer on Facebook Marketplace checks a serial number before handing over cash, they're protecting themselves and helping a theft victim. When a tradie registers their tools, they're making those tools less attractive to thieves. Every action compounds.
Get involved
The most important thing you can do is register your own gear. It takes two minutes, it costs nothing, and it could make all the difference if something goes wrong. Beyond that, you can help by:
- Checking serial numbers before buying anything second-hand
- Sharing SerialCheck with friends, family, and colleagues
- Telling your local buy-and-sell groups about the registry
- Encouraging your workplace to register company equipment
If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for how we can improve SerialCheck, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our contact page to get in touch.