The best way to avoid a work-at-home or home business scam is by knowing the tricks and deceptions scammers use, and how to find legitimate opportunities.But, if you think may have been scammed you or or are having a problem with a company, there are resources to help.One of those options is to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). BBB Complaint Form Step. If you do not have an email address, you will need to file your complaint in writing with the local BBB where the business is located. Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., separately incorporated Better Business Bureau organizations in the US, Canada and Mexico, and BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust.
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It is more difficult to perform due diligence on an online company you intend to do business with than on a local brick-and-mortar company. The internet has changed the way people interact with businesses. It also changed the scope of marketing because businesses can literally be anywhere in the world. The Better Business Bureau requires specific information to research and isn't always a good resource to check out online companies, but other options exist.
Better Business Bureau Limitations
The BBB works to help businesses present themselves with credibility to the community they serve. They advocate for mediation where complaints and problems arise. Complaint records are kept for three years, giving consumers the opportunity to research companies that may have negative public interactions.
While the BBB does a lot of things, it does have limitations. For a consumer to perform a search about a business, the consumer needs to have the business name and the city and state the business operates in. This means many internet companies are outside of the scope of the BBB.
You can attempt a BBB search by first looking at the website footer or contact information to determine the location. If it is available and accurate, you might get a hit on the record. If the website is a DBA for a bigger company or the location is not accurate, you may not get a result at the BBB.
Online Consumer Advocacy Alternatives
The internet has resources for consumer advocacy warnings of scams and negative companies. The Online Business Bureau is one such consumer advocacy group that keeps records of websites and rates companies as 'recommended,' 'warning' and 'negative.' It summarizes whether there are any outstanding or unresolved complaints about a company. Even this resource doesn't offer information on every website.
Perform a Google search of the company with the word 'complaints' after the company name. This often yields forums and sites that include Yelp, Angie's List and other complaint forums. Keep in mind that most online reviews are based on negative experiences and are not always reflective of the number of positive interactions the company might have.
Other Due Diligence
Buyer beware is the rule of thumb when working with an online vendor that you can't validate. If the BBB and other search resources don't produce anything positive or negative, look for signs within the website itself.
Look for contact information on the website that includes a name, address and phone number. Confirm this information with WHOIS.com to confirm the information matches. WHOIS is a website that maintains domain registrations around the world. Make sure the website isn't a copycat trying to play off a valid name brand like Sony with a long tail. While they are more problematic in phishing email scams, copycat sites want you to believe the site is the legitimate brand.
Look for secure payment options and for a terms and conditions page if you are unsure how problems would be resolved or products returned. When in doubt, it's worth finding another online resource.
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About the Author
With more than 15 years of small business ownership including owning a State Farm agency in Southern California, Kimberlee understands the needs of business owners first hand. When not writing, Kimberlee enjoys chasing waterfalls with her son in Hawaii.
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Leonard, Kimberlee. 'How to Check Out a Business Online With the BBB.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/check-out-business-online-bbb-14987.html. 05 March 2019.
Leonard, Kimberlee. (2019, March 05). How to Check Out a Business Online With the BBB. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/check-out-business-online-bbb-14987.html
Leonard, Kimberlee. 'How to Check Out a Business Online With the BBB' last modified March 05, 2019. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/check-out-business-online-bbb-14987.html
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The Better Business Bureau, or BBB, is a non-profit corporation that uses an Accredited Businesses system to assign rankings to businesses, charities and non-profit organizations. The BBB stores data about companies and uses dispute resolution procedures established by the Council of the Better Business Bureaus. Local BBBs administer procedures designed for consumers to file complaints against accredited and non-accredited businesses.
Customer Complaint Initiation
After a complaint is filed with the Better Business Bureau, it determines whether it is an issue that they can handle. For example, the BBB does not deal with pricing, policies, employer or employee disputes, or anything concerning professional procedures or a government agency. If the dispute concerns a clear business transaction, they will send a copy to the business referenced to get its input about the matter.
Resolving Customer Disputes Directly
The Better Business Bureau encourages companies to answer customer complaints that were filed with it. Businesses have 30 days to respond before further steps are taken. When a dispute is handled to each party's satisfaction, the BBB should be notified so that it can close its file. The BBB will contact the customer to ensure that the issue was resolved, so businesses need to keep accurate records of their attempts to resolve complaints.
Dispute Resolution Proposals
Businesses may answer customer complaints with resolution proposals, which the Better Business Bureau will submit to the customer. Once the customer is in agreement, the BBB will close its case. The resolution is then reflected on the BBB business reliability report positively. If a business has made an attempt to resolve the issue, or feels it was not at fault, the complaint will enter an arbitration or mediation process.
Mediation and Arbitration
If the matter goes to mediation, a neutral third party will work with both sides until they come to a mutual agreement. A professionally trained mediator will guide the parties through the process. If arbitration is chosen, the arbitrator will weigh the evidence presented to come to a conclusion. Meeting locations will be chosen by the BBB at mutually convenient times for each party to have confidential sessions, typically for two to three hours.
During these confidential meetings, the problems are clarified to discuss solutions. Mediators strive to help both parties reach an agreeable legally binding solution, whereas an arbitrator will make that decision similar to a judge in a court of law.
BBB Business Record
While the BBB is not government sanctioned, nor has any state, federal or local government affiliation, it is a resource that consumers regularly use to make purchase and service provider decisions. Because the BBB archives information about businesses, unanswered complaints are considered unflattering by consumers. Therefore, it is advisable that companies deal with complaints to keep their business records clear and so that it doesn't dissuade future potential customers.
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About the Author
Susan S. Davis is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the L.A. Press Club. She was managing editor of 'The Hosting News' and a columnist at Online Dating Magazine. Davis attended Chicago's Medill School of Journalism, and holds an A.A.S. in radio broadcasting from Minnesota Business College and a certificate in paralegal studies from University of California, Los Angeles.
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S., Susan. 'What Happens to a Business When There's a Complaint With the BBB?' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/happens-business-theres-complaint-bbb-26071.html. 12 March 2019.
S., Susan. (2019, March 12). What Happens to a Business When There's a Complaint With the BBB? Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/happens-business-theres-complaint-bbb-26071.html
S., Susan. 'What Happens to a Business When There's a Complaint With the BBB?' last modified March 12, 2019. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/happens-business-theres-complaint-bbb-26071.html
Note: Depending on which text editor you're pasting into, you might have to add the italics to the site name.