About the BBB
The Better Business Bureau (BBB), founded in 1912, is a nonprofit corporation consisting of private business franchises of local BBB organizations based in the United States and Canada working together through the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB). The CBBB is the umbrella organization for the BBB system. This organization was established when advertising executives realized that fraudulent practices by some advertisers were bringing advertising into public disfavor. In response, these executives formed a National Vigilance Committee to police the industry, with subsidiary organizations formed at the local level. The local organizations became known as Better Business Bureaus.
Today, sponsored by all segments of the business community, the BBB investigates and sets standards for business practices, receives complaints of improper practices, and conducts educational campaigns, alerting the public to methods of deceit and fraud in advertising and selling. Our motive is simple, drive consumers to trustworthy businesses.
BBBs gather and report information on business reliability, alert the public to frauds against consumers and businesses, provide information on ethical business practices, and act as mutually trusted intermediaries between consumers and businesses to resolve disputes. News media frequently turn to the CBBB and local BBBs as expert sources of news about scams and consumer issues.
The BBB’s goal is to foster a fair and effective marketplace, so that buyers and sellers can trust each other ("Start With Trust"). Many BBB services can be accessed online through their website.
The BBB Story
The Mission
To be the leader in advancing marketplace trust.
The Vision
To have a marketplace where buyers and sellers trust each other.
We will accomplish our mission by creating a community of trustworthy businesses, setting standards for marketplace trust, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebrating marketplace role models, and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.