A Consumer resource
Why people turn to BBB
BBB is a non-profit that gives you facts, context and real experiences so you can make better buying decisions. We make it easier to shop with confidence, research businesses and resolve disputes.
Confidence
Make empowered and informed purchases with BBB's trusted insights.
Convenience
Find it fast, in one place. Easily research, compare and connect with businesses.
Correction
You’re not on your own if things go wrong. Get help addressing business-related conflicts or scams.
How we help
Improve purchase confidence
Skip the guesswork. We provide resources and articles that help you make more informed choices. Know who you're working with before you work with them. BBB Business Profiles include every key detail.
When you choose a BBB Accredited Business or Charity, you’re choosing an organization that backs high values with real action.
Why choose a BBB Accredited Business →
Find charities you can trust →
Every BBB review is verified. BBB’s vetting process filters out fake reviews and confirms customer interactions with businesses.
You’ll also see how businesses respond to complaints, so you know what to expect if something goes wrong.
The market changes. So do the ways people buy. BBB shares up-to-date articles and newsletters to help you make informed decisions.
Browse consumer articles →
BBB's consumer alerts and Scam Tracker help you check what's real, spot patterns and protect your money and information before you buy.
Go to Scam Tracker →
Read BBB news + alerts →
How we help
Research with convenience
One trusted source. Everything you need to know. BBB brings the most important info into one place so you can research businesses faster, compare easier and connect with confidence.
BBB's robust online directory provides free information on millions of businesses across North America. We make it simple and fast to learn the info you need about a business before you buy.
Research contact details, years in business, service area, customer feedback, complaint history, BBB rating, accreditation status and more – all in one trusted place.
Find what you need to know →
Two of the most helpful insights on a BBB profile are a business’s letter rating and whether it’s BBB Accredited.
Business ratings reflect how a business is likely to treat customers.
BBB Accreditation means the business has committed to BBB's high ethical standards.
Looking to hire a contractor or service provider? BBB’s Get a Quote program makes it quick and simple to request free quotes from trusted businesses!
Fill out one quick form and connect with one or more BBB Accredited Businesses. It’s an easy, no-cost way to compare trusted options for your next project.
Get a Quote →
Keeping track of things can be hard, but it's simple with a free BBB Consumer Account.
Your free BBB Account gives you a secure way to manage your reviews, track your business interactions, and connect with your area's BBB office, providing access to local trusted resources—all in one place.
How we help
Seek correction
If something doesn't go right, BBB helps you take the next step. You're not alone if a business falls short or you experience a scam. BBB offers free resources to help you get things back on track.
If something didn’t go as expected, BBB offers a clear path forward. File a complaint online, and we’ll send it to the business and request a response. It’s free, simple and designed to help you move toward a fair outcome.
Learn more about the complaint process →
File a complaint →
Note: Complaints must involve a marketplace interaction (see Guidelines)
For vehicle-related issues, Visit BBB Auto Line
Need more than the standard complaint process?
BBB offers free* or low-cost mediation and arbitration: ways to resolve issues without going to court.
Whether it’s guided conversation or a binding decision from a neutral third party, we’re here to help both sides find a fair solution.
Learn more About ADR Services →
* Free if the business involved is BBB Accredited. Services vary by location.
BBB does more than gather reviews. We evaluate how businesses advertise, monitor patterns in complaints and check for proper licensing and transparency.
Ad review: We flag misleading claims and work with businesses to fix them.
Complaint patterns: If we see repeated issues, we require the business to explain and resolve them.
Compliance checks: We verify key business details like licensing and background when evaluating for BBB Accreditation.
Revocations: BBB Accredited businesses have pledged to be held accountable to BBB. If they are unresponsive to complaints or ad reviews, or in other ways violate BBB's standards, they risk losing Accreditation.
Your story can guide someone else’s decision. When you submit a complaint or report fraud, it helps your community understand what to expect.
BBB uses this information to publish ongoing updates and an annual overview of marketplace trends at the end of each year. These reports are publicly available and also shared with partner watchdogs and the media.
Have a review, complaint, or fraud experience to report? Share your story →
Looking for info about BBB's reporting? Check out the BBB ScamTracker →
International programs: From the 'Scam Survivor Toolkit' to our library of articles and studies, BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust helps you know what to do after experiencing fraud.
Local programs: Some BBBs have regional non-profit programs or partnerships that might be able to help you recover from fraud. Click below to find out what opportunities your local BBB offers.
FOR CONFIDENCE, CONVENIENCE AND PEACE OF MIND
Start your next purchase decision with BBB
Before you buy, check with us. We help shoppers make informed buying decisions, connect with businesses that do things right and get support when it counts.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a nonprofit organization that helps consumers find trustworthy businesses by providing free access to business profiles, reviews, complaints and ratings on BBB.org.
Founded in 1912, BBB promotes ethical business practices, resolves disputes and provides resources to help businesses become more trustworthy in the U.S. and Canada.
Our vision is for an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers trust each other.
No, Better Business Bureau is not a part of the government — nor is it affiliated with any governmental agency.
BBB is a private, nonprofit organization that operates independently to promote trust in the marketplace with support from dues-paying BBB Accredited Businesses across the U.S. and Canada.
BBB isn’t just a review site — it’s a comprehensive resource that helps you shop smarter and safer.
Along with verified customer reviews, you’ll find business ratings, complaint history and accreditation status all in one place. BBB gives you the confidence to make informed decisions, the convenience of connecting directly with trusted businesses and clear steps for resolving issues if something goes wrong.
A BBB Accredited Business is a company that has committed to upholding BBB’s Standards for Trust — meeting rigorous criteria for honesty, transparency, responsiveness and integrity. These businesses have been vetted by BBB and support its mission to promote a trustworthy marketplace.
Why choose a BBB Accredited Business? →
What are the benefits of being a BBB Accredited Business? →
BBB assigns ratings from A+ (highest) to F (lowest) based on factors such as a company's complaint history, transparency and adherence to licensing requirements. These ratings reflect BBB's assessment of how the business is likely to interact with its customers but are not a guarantee of reliability or performance.
Ready to leave a review? Start here.
Set up a Free BBB Consumer Account to track your reviews!
If you’ve encountered a scam, you can report it through BBB’s free Scam Tracker to help warn others and support law enforcement efforts. If you had a bad experience with a business and want a resolution, you can file a formal complaint. To simply share your opinion — good or bad — consider submitting a customer review instead.
Learn more about reviews, complaints and scam reports here. →
Have more questions? Click here to Check out our full FAQ page.
Or contact us directly! We’re happy to help answer your specific questions.
BBB Accreditation
Are you a business?
Learn how Better Business Bureau can help you improve your online reputation, grow your business and reduce your risk.