Common Questions
What is Free-ID?
Free-ID is the comprehensive property Identification and recovery system for home and business that helps you get your lost or stolen items back. Free-id works using high-tech communication methods made available with the advent of the internet and the simplicity of recognizable and unique identification codes. Free-ID makes it easy to identify and recover items while maintaining the privacy of both the owner and finder.**
Why do I need Free-ID?
The US Transportation Saftey Board reports over 12,000 laptops are lost at US airports every week. Most are never returned due to lack of proper identification. It has been documented that the use of an identification and recovery-reward service changes that to better than a 75% chance the item will be returned. Overall you have less than a 2% chance an item will be returned if lost or stolen if not properly identified.**
There are millions of items recovered every year recovered in law enforcement operations that are never returned to thier rightful owners because lack of identification. They now end up in public auctions or in the recycler scrap piles.**
Perhaps most importantly, do you really want to put your personal information, or a government issued id number visible to everyone, on your valuables? The same technology which allows Free-ID to function gives identity thieves what they need to get the rest. Placing any government issued numbers on your belongings is as good as giving an identity thief your credit card or social security number!
What would I use Free-ID on?
We have labels or tags for just about anything you own. But we recommend using our Recovery-Reward Labels on the items that are valuable to you and are susceptible to being lost or stolen. Those personal items, the laptop or cell phone with the data or work you need and spent time developing that you cannot easily replace.
Our Standard ID labels are for everything else you own. Your television, sterio, blu-ray player, appliances the kind of item's that don't leave your home but are taken in burglaries because of their easy resale. When properly used our "No-See-Um" labels used in conjunction with our standard ID labels and warning labels give you a much better chance your items will be recovered or not even stolen in the first place. You can also register any item labeled with our products in our database for an easy way for law enforcement to identify the item as yours.**
Is Free-ID really free?
Yes, it costs absolutely nothing to use Free-ID's property identification services. To use our "Recovery-Reward" and/or our subscription services you must use our labels. Please note that Free-ID will always do what we can to facilitate the return of valuables to their rightful owners. You will find details on the pages of this site and in the 'terms and conditions' relating to the products or services offered.**
Do I have to use your Labels?
No, you do not have to use our Labels or other identification products to use our identification services On certain items it is almost impossible to use a label of any sort to identify them. To use our "Recovery-Reward" services you must use our products. These services require a special coding as well as an active subscription. For the items impossible to place a label on (jewelry for one) contact us.**
Why buy your labels?
Free-ID's labels and tags are made of various Hi-Tech materials depending on the application, many of which you have heard of. We use Teslin*, Mylar*, Tyvek*, polyester, mylar, polyimide or aluminum for our products.*
Our labels are not just surface printed but rather the surface is infused with the colorants used, then top coated for exceptional durability and UV resistance.** Our adhesives cure within 24 hrs of application and are extremely difficult to remove.**
While some of our labels are the same size as the ones you can buy at your local office supply and that is where the similarity ends. You simply cannot purchase these labels or tags 'off the shelf' at any local or online office supplies. Free-ID labels are made so well, they are guarenteed!**
Perhaps the most important reason to use genuine Free-ID labels and identification products is that we will provide a reward for items returned with our label on it. With "Recovery -Reward" labels we provide a reward valued at over $20.00 of our products and services with a current subscription. Even with our standard identification products we are providing a reward valued at over $5.00 to the finder - all at no cost to you! Certain restrictions do apply**
Where do I get a Free-ID code?
Right here on this website or at select retailers! Just register and validate your membership by logging in to your account. After you login your Free-ID code can be found on your member details page.
What is an extended service plan?
The extended service plans refer to the premium services offered for "Recovery-Reward" labels. Our servce plans go from Basic where, with a current subscription, you pay shipping associated charges. To our Premium plan where you pay no service fees or shipping charges to get your item returned. You can even add expedited services and shipping for the items you needed back yesterday. Our service plan page explains the levels of service and associated costs.**
How much do your "Recovery-Reward" services cost?
Free-ID Products and services are not expensive, our identification labels are by the sheet not by the label. As an example, each "Recovery-Reward" label costs less than fifty cents to purchase and only about a penny a day for a basic subscription. When the item is found, you will not be charged any fees for our services, you only pay for shipping (most items ship for less than $10.00 ground). We will make the arrangements for the return of your valuable and after It has been returned, Free-ID will issue a reward valued at over $ 20.00 to the finder. A reward is usually all it takes for the safe return of your valuable.**
Thousands of cell phones and laptops are lost or stolen every day. You want to be among the people with over a 75% chance of getting them back. All for only about a penny a day. We also have extended plans available at a reasonable cost that will even pay shipping! It is one of the least expensive ways to to protect your investment.**
Free-ID is not just for laptops and cell phones either, many contractors, medical professionals, business' and home owners are finding the benefits of having valuable property properly labeled and identifible. With ownership easily determined on a world wide database.**
What do I do if I lose something?
You do not have to do a thing. If you wish you can report the item missing as this will help facilitate the return of your item when found. If you experience a major loss such as in a burglary and you have an inventory (available soon) with us you may wish to report the missing items when you retrieve your inventory for insurance purposes. The insurers do like and may require that. Some insurers may even issue a discount for the use of Free-ID labels and services, check with your agent.
What do I do if I find something?
Reporting an item found is very easy. On most of our pages is an item reporting block on the top of the right column. Clicking on the link takes you to our found item reporting form. Simply fill out the form and we will immediately contact the owner. We will get back to you shortly with the return options we have on the item.
Free-ID wants to make it as painless as possible to return an item, after all you are doing the right thing - Why should it be hard?
After the item is returned to its owner Free-ID will issue a reward.**
I recieved a label with something I purchased - What do I do next?
The first thing you should do is attach the label to the item you purchased (or received as a gift). Then activate the label to receive your coverage. Free-ID partners with various top notch manufaturers and retailers and you have probably received your label in that way. The subscription term is normally for 3 or 5 years as listed in the instruction sheet you received.
Important note: If you are already a member of Free-ID do not attach the label. Contact us and we will replace the label with one in your code or extend the subscription term of your "Recovery-Reward" labels. Just return the label to us intact.
* - Registered Trademarks of their respective Owners ** - See Terms and Conditions