From Wiki-
The Better Business Bureau (BBB), founded in 1912, is a corporation consisting of a number of separately governed and incorporated local BBB organizations in the United States and Canada, affiliated with the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB).[1] In 2012 the BBB celebrates its Centennial.[2]
The Better Business Bureau, through local chapters, invites businesses to become dues-paying Accredited members. In return, the BBBs allow their member businesses the use of their logo, and mediation and arbitration services.[3]
The Better Business Bureau gathers and archives information it receives about businesses, both locally and nationally. It uses the information it gathers from consumers and other businesses to vet businesses to become members. The BBB collects information on business reliability, alerts the public to frauds against consumers and businesses, provides information on ethical business practices, and acts as mutually trusted intermediaries between consumers and businesses to resolve disputes. According to the BBB website, their mission is "advancing marketplace trust".[4] In an effort to remain unbiased and maintain fairness the BBB holds a standard policy of refraining from recommending or endorsing any specific business, product or service.[5]
Although it has "Bureau" in its title, the Better Business Bureau is not affiliated with federal, state, or local government, and has no direct affiliation with any consumer protection government authority. The BBB, as a privately held corporation, has no governmental authority over businesses.