How the Better Business Bureau Helps Consumers Avoid Scams and Find Trusted Businesses – EP24

Better Business Bureau accreditation helps consumers find trustworthy businesses and helps companies build credibility in the marketplace. In this episode of The Boston Barrister, I speak with Paula Fleming, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer for the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Eastern New England, about how BBB supports both consumers and businesses. Paula explains how businesses apply for BBB accreditation, how companies are vetted before being approved, and how consumers can use BBB.org to research companies, check complaint histories, and avoid scams. We also discuss the growing problem of fraud, common scams affecting both young adults and seniors, and practical steps consumers can take to protect their personal information. This conversation also highlights Paula’s career in communications, her community work, and the mission of the Better Business Bureau to build trust between businesses and the public. Here is what you will learn How Better Business Bureau accreditation works How consumers can research businesses on BBB.org Common scams including phishing scams and identity theft Why businesses join the Better Business Bureau to build trust Tips to protect your Social Security number and personal information CONNECT WITH US ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ Website: https://kevinseaverlaw.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LawOfficeOfKevinPatrickSeaver/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawofficeofkevinseaver/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-law-office-of-kevin-patrick-seaver/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvt_ckAv7fDcHw1Rb4sVV0Q/featured TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@attorneykevinseaver Disclaimer This video is not intended as legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult a lawyer regarding your legal issue. Keywords: Better Business Bureau BBB accreditation BBB.org business search how BBB accreditation works Better Business Bureau scams how to check a business BBB consumer protection BBB identity theft scams prevention phishing scams explained trusted business accreditation #dcflawyer #dcf #familylaw #massachusettslaw #dcfdefense #parentalrights #substanceabuse Since 1991 Boston attorney Kevin Patrick Seaver has specialized in family law, including divorce and fighting false child abuse allegations and getting DCF cases closed once and for all. Giving parents freedom and happiness. 617-263-2633 [email protected] Kevinseaverlaw.com Transcript: Welcome to the Boston Barista. My name is Kevin Patrick Seiver. I’m located in Boston, Massachusetts. We have the extreme pleasure to have the Chief Marketing and Sales Officer from the BBB, the Better Business Bureau, and her name is Paula Fleming. Thank you, Paula, for joining us here today. Paula, talk to me about what is the best way for individuals to get in touch with BBB, Better Business Bureau. Yeah, so people can reach us at 508-652-4800. Would you repeat that? Would you repeat that again, please? 508-652-4800 is our phone. And we are available at no cost to consumers and businesses online at BBB.org. Again, it’s BBB.org. And how do they join and become a member, Paula? What’s the way that you would suggest? Businesses can apply for membership right online. The application is roughly 10 to 20 minutes of your time. And then it goes to our team to vet to see if you are approved for accreditation. And what do you mean by approved for accreditation, please? So we have different standards. We take into consideration what your complaints are, how long you’ve been in business, what your industry is, if you have any legal actions or government actions, how you’re responding to complaints, we look at patterns. We just vet each and every company to make sure that they meet the standards of accreditation. And then we work with companies to make sure if they are not approved, that they know why. And if they’re interested i