BBB

The Better Business Bureau, one of the country's best known consumer watchdog groups, is being accused by business owners of running a "pay for play" scheme in which A plus ratings are awarded to those who pay membership fees, and F ratings used to punish those who don't.

To prove the point, a group of Los Angeles business owners paid $425 to the Better Business Bureau and were able to obtain an A minus grade for a non-existent company called Hamas, named after the Middle Eastern terror group.

"Right now, this rating system is really unworthy of consumer trust or confidence," said Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal in an interview to be broadcast as part of an ABC News investigation airing tonight on 20/20.

In an official demand letter sent to the national headquarters of the Better Business Bureau Thursday, Blumenthal called on the BBB to stop using its grading system, which he said was "potentially harmful and misleading" to consumers.

Errors seem to abound at the Better Business Bureau. As reported by an anonymous blogger the BBB also awarded an A minus rating to a non-existent sushi restaurant in Santa Ana, California and an A plus to a skinhead, neo-Nazi web site called Stormfront.

"They're more interested in the money than their credibility."

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The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is often seen as a trusted resource for consumers seeking to avoid scams and ensure the integrity of businesses. However, concerns have emerged regarding its effectiveness and potential conflicts of interest. Many individuals question how they can rely on an organization that is supposed to protect them but see here how they engage in practices that are deceptive. For example, the BBB prioritizes businesses that pay for accreditation, raising doubts about the impartiality of their ratings.