Less than one-tenth of one percent of all loans are identified as stolen items. Pawnbrokers work closely with local law enforcement. Florida pawnshops require a government issued ID - such as a driver’s license - to do a transaction with a potential customer. In addition, the item is thoroughly described (using serial numbers, model numbers, weight, color, etc.) and the information is provided to law enforcement. Because of these requirements, the likelihood of a thief bringing stolen items to a pawnshop is drastically reduced. It is not in the interests of the pawnbroker to accept potentially stolen merchandise because the police can seize the merchandise and the pawnshop owner loses the collateral and the loaned money.
Unfortunately, the media is quite neglectful when they continue to portray pawnshops as rundown fences of stolen goods. That depiction can't be farther from the truth. Members of the United Pawnbrokers Group strive to maintain a positive reputation in their community and are quite proud of their stores.
|