Can a scam be a Better Business Bureau member?

[Scepcop]

Does it mean anything if a company has a Better Business Bureau plaque to prove that they are a member? Doesn't the BBB simply accept anyone who pays the fee, even if they are a scam? I've seen some shady businesses with BBB plaques, so doesn't that cast doubt on the BBB's reputation?

Also, isn't it kind of deceptive to use the word "bureau" since it makes it sound like a government agency when in fact the BBB is a private organization?

[NinjaPuppy]

I've used the BBB a few times but you need to check for this BEFORE not AFTER. I find that using a search engine will sometimes give me more information when I'm checking out a company than the BBB.

[fayes uraro]

Yes, there are many ways to know about that BB, I usually use search engine to know the private security records. Always be aware if it's a scam. The Do's and Dont's of a BBB. In addition, the Southern California chapter of the has been eliminated from the national consumer protection group. Apparently, the organization's representative in the LA area was only giving high ratings to those companies that paid for a membership. For additional than 100 years, the BBB has been the most trusted of consumer protection organizations. Now who can consumers put their trust in?