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Better Business Bureau ®
Start With Trust®

What are BBB standards against which businesses are evaluated to qualify for accreditation?

The BBB Standards for Trust are a comprehensive set of best practices for how businesses should treat the public in a fair and honest manner.

Do BBBs monitor BBB Accredited Businesses for continuing compliance with standards?

Yes. Every BBB Accredited Business is monitored for continuing adherence to BBB standards.

Does BBB report only on accredited businesses?

No. BBBs review accredited and non-accredited businesses alike. Reviews only note a business's accreditation status.

What is BBB’s Rating System?

The BBB grade is based on BBB file information about the business. In some cases, a business’s grade may be lowered if the BBB does not have sufficient information about the business despite BBB requests to the business for the information. Find more information about our rating system here.

Can BBB recommend a reputable business for me to deal with?

Our basic policy is to refrain from recommending or endorsing any business, product or service. This is done to ensure continued public trust in our fairness.

BBB Accredited Businesses must meet certain standards to qualify for accreditation and to remain accredited. You can search on our website for BBB Accredited Businesses by location and/or industry.

How do I file a complaint?

Start here with our online complaint form.

How can I report a scam?

Alert BBB by completing our scam report form.

What can BBB do to stop rip-offs and scams?

Although BBB does not have legal and policing powers, we provide information about marketplace fraud through alerts on scams to the public.

BBB works closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, providing them with valuable information on potential frauds. We are often the first organization to know about a developing scam and alert authorities and the public. When a scam develops in one part of the country, the news travels quickly between BBBs in the U.S. and Canada that in turn alert the public in their communities.

If BBB funding comes from businesses, how does the organization ensure fairness to consumers?

BBB’s value to the business community is based on our marketplace neutrality. Our purpose is not to act as an advocate for businesses or consumers but to act as a mutually trusted intermediary to resolve disputes and provide information to assist consumers in making wise buying decisions. Businesses have supported BBB for more than 100 years because a trustworthy marketplace is in everyone's best interest.

What do BBBs do besides resolve customer complaints?

BBBs do a lot more than help settle disputes. Through the support of their accredited businesses, BBBs work for a trustworthy marketplace by maintaining standards for truthful advertising, investigating and exposing fraud against consumers and businesses and providing information to consumers before they purchase products and services.

Does BBB report on government agency actions against businesses?

Yes, BBB reports on actions against businesses and/or their principals brought by government agencies that involve legal or regulatory violations that are relevant to consumers. This information can be found in BBB Business Reviews.

Does BBB report on private and small claims court actions against businesses?

Private lawsuits are generally not reported on by BBB.  However, BBB may report on criminal convictions against a business or its principals if the matter relates to the business's marketplace dealings with the public.

How do I find my BBB?

Use our BBB Locator.