How we help keep stolen bikes off the platform.
Why Serial Numbers Matter
Bike theft is a real problem. Stolen bikes often end up on online marketplaces where buyers have no way to know if the bike they are looking at is legitimate. Serial numbers are unique identifiers stamped into the frame of every bicycle, and they are the most reliable way to check if a bike has been reported stolen.
VeloBand encourages sellers to include serial numbers when listing bicycles and frames. When a serial number is provided, we automatically check it against stolen bike databases and display the result directly on the listing.
How It Works
Seller adds serial number
During listing creation, the seller enters the serial number found on the bike frame. For most bikes, this is stamped on the underside of the bottom bracket.
We check it automatically
When the seller submits the listing, we check the serial number against stolen bike databases including BikeIndex, one of the largest registries of stolen bicycles.
Result shown on the listing
If the check comes back clean, the listing gets a Serial Verified badge visible to all buyers. If a match is found, the listing is not published.
The Serial Verified Badge
Listings with a clean serial check get a green Serial Verified badge, visible to all buyers on the product page.
Serial Verified
Checked against stolen bike databases — no reports found.
At Exchange Points
When a bike goes through an Exchange Point, the shop staff check the serial number stamped on the frame against the one entered in the listing. If they don't match, the actual serial from the frame is checked against stolen bike databases. This catches cases where a seller may have entered an incorrect serial to bypass the database check.
Serial verification is a helpful tool, but it has limitations. Not all stolen bikes are reported to databases. The Serial Verified badge means no matches were found in the databases we check, not that the bike is guaranteed legitimate. Use it alongside photos, seller ratings, and direct communication when making your decision.
If you believe a listing involves a stolen bike, please report it through the platform. We take all reports seriously and investigate promptly.