Answering the questions behind the blue seal

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/09/2020 (2038 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

You might know it by the blue seal on the back of a company’s car, or the framed certificate hanging proudly in your hairdresser’s salon. You may have seen it in an article you read about scams in your area. You could have heard about it in conversation with a frustrated friend looking for ways to get their money back after they bought a product that was advertised dishonestly.

Chances are, you’ve interacted with the Better Business Bureau in some shape or form in your life. But what exactly the 108-year-old organization does and how it can help you are still questions many pose.

That’s because the BBB’s services extend into so many areas of the marketplace, even those who’ve enlisted the organization’s help are unaware of its many purposes.  

What is the BBB’s rating system? How can I file a complaint against a business? What is BBB Scam Tracker (https://bbb.org/scamtracker)? How is the BBB working to stop scams? How does the not-for-profit corporation ensure fairness to consumers?

These are just a few of the very common questions the organization gets.

The answers start with a clarification of what the BBB is – a non-governmental agency that works to increase trust in the marketplace. It helps consumers find businesses they can trust by accrediting businesses that comply with standards that keep them fair and honest. The BBB reports on all businesses, however, giving consumers a more accurate snapshot of which companies are trustworthy. If a customer feels misled, they can also launch a complaint with the BBB, which will work as a third party conciliator to help both parties try and resolve the issue.

This is only one aspect of the BBB’s work. The organization, whose broad network of offices can be found in cities across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, also works to combat scams by identifying them and working with law enforcement to investigate and stop them.

The BBB is also diligently working through various education programs that both help businesses operate ethically and support consumers in making smart purchasing choices. Many of these resources can be found online, and you can get more advice by calling your local BBB for free.

All of these services and more can be found by visiting www.bbb.org

An easy way to find the answers you’re looking for and to explore more functions of the BBB is to visit www.bbb.org/frequently-asked-questions