Is the Better Business Bureau on the "Take" for Serial Consumer Fraud?

When Al Capone and his organization were running the streets of Chicago, many city officials were known to be "on the take." In other words, local authorities, responsible for advocating justice, were paid to ignore any charges of racketeering, gambling, bootlegging, etc. Today, the Better Business Bureau operates a similar business model, "on the take."

Founded in 1912, the Better Business Bureau has a reputation for providing consumers with "reliable" information. As their tagline implies, "start with trust" (SM), many American consumers rely on the BBB.org for unbiased information pertaining to the credibility of a business, or charitable organization. Few are aware that companies listed with the flaming stamp of approval "accreditation" are simply store-bought tags of "legitimacy."

When the same companies are confronted with illicit behavior, many consumers are uninformed that complaints, made against an "accredited" business of the BBB are resolved without very much impartiality. From running credit cards without providing products and services, refusal to refund money, keeping consumers on a subscription list or any other unethical act, the Better Business Bureau seems to dole out accreditations like narcotic dealers distribute methamphetamines. After all, any thriving business relies on a healthy target market of supply and demand. Why should the BBB.org be any different? They need to generate revenue too.

It's the ultimate marketing niche: An organization that anoints entities with immediate authentication. The logo, punctuated by a blazing torch, is tantamount to a certification of instantaneous credibility. The branding ranges in cost. Depending on the industry, size of the company, and other standards, accreditation is anywhere between $450 and $10,000 dollars.

Trumpeting the BBB badge of legitimacy, many businesses flourish via committing serial consumer fraud. When customers threaten to expose entities affiliated with the BBB for wrongdoings, their dissatisfaction falls on deaf ears. The fine line between biased reporting and accreditation is not publicly reported. Consumers, who file a complaint against a dubious entity, have to complete an extensive survey. In the October 2008 volume of Smart Money, an investigation detailed how the Better Business Bureau's comprehensive customer satisfaction questionnaire is commonly sold and used to assist companies in refining their brand identity.

With the Better Business Bureau's validation, many companies tend to shirk the responsibility of providing customer satisfaction. Why, because they have paid their dues, as in their business accreditation. Not to mention, with the BBB as their arbitrator, the cycle of consumer fraud is boundless.

Fortunately, American consumers in quest of doing business with ethical organizations have other alternatives. A host of online resources feature reviews, transaction histories and details regarding agencies with a propensity for unscrupulous business dealing. For instance, at Complaints.com, and Rip-off Reports.com, consumers can research and report organizations for misconduct.

Meanwhile, with the Better Business Bureau's allegiance to organizations with corrupt practices, consumers can use the following investigational tactics to identify an ethical business from an unsavory one:

1) Using Google, enter the company name and the key words, "complaints and reviews."

2) Next, peruse all feedback pertaining to the company in question.

3) If your findings reveal more negative than positive feedback, it's probably a good indication that the business is unworthy of your business.

4) For companies with the BBB accreditation stamp, refer to the strategies published at the Consumer Journal to read between the lines evaluate an organization's history.