Key takeaways
- Curbstoners pose as private sellers to dodge dealer disclosure laws.
- The biggest tell: the name on the title does not match the person selling the car.
- A VIN report exposes the hidden brands curbstoners rely on you not checking.
Step by step
- 1
Check the title name
Ask to see the title. If the seller name does not match the title, walk away — that is the classic curbstoner sign.
- 2
Search the phone number
Paste the listing phone number into a search engine. Curbstoners often run many listings under one number.
- 3
Meet at their home
Insist on meeting where the car is kept. A parking-lot-only meetup is a warning.
- 4
Run the VIN
Pull the history for salvage, flood, or odometer issues the seller is counting on you to miss.
- 5
Resist pressure
Cash-only, today-only urgency is a tactic. A legitimate private seller can wait for an inspection.
Check the VIN before you buy
Title brands, theft records, liens, and odometer history in under a minute.
Check a VIN nowFrequently asked questions
Why are curbstoners dangerous?
They skip the disclosures a licensed dealer must make, so branded, flood, or unsafe cars get sold as clean private-party vehicles.
Is curbstoning illegal?
Selling cars for profit without a dealer license is illegal in most states. It is also a strong signal the car history is being hidden.