The BBB’s National Structure Actively Suppresses Consumer Complaints
This review applies to both the BBB Mid-South and the IABBB—because they operate as a single, coordinated system. I filed seven formal complaints against FedEx, detailing ongoing delivery failures, false statements, and a complete lack of resolution. Instead of investigating or enforcing accountability, the BBB helped suppress the record. On February 18, 2025, the IABBB instructed BBB Mid-South to merge all of my past and future complaints into a single open file. They confirmed that even fully documented complaints would not be treated as new, would be hidden from public view, and would not be marked “Unresolved”—even if the issue was never addressed. BBB Mid-South complied. Valid, ongoing issues were buried. The BBB also confirmed in writing that unless a complaint includes a tracking number, the business is not required to read it. This policy conveniently filters out countless unresolved delivery issues, even when the company is at fault. Worse, the IABBB admitted that a business only needs to submit a response—not a truthful one, not a complete one—for a case to be closed. There is no requirement that the business address the complaint’s actual content, nor any follow-up to ensure resolution. Throughout this process, the BBB and IABBB repeatedly cited “policy” as justification for their actions—yet refused to provide that policy in writing, even after multiple requests. Meanwhile, the only published complaint-handling policies and “Standards for Trust” on their own websites directly contradict how my case was handled. This confirms the policies are being selectively enforced—or ignored altogether. This is not a fluke—it’s institutional. Every regional BBB must follow IABBB directives. Consumers in any state can have their complaints silenced, and companies can avoid accountability with one vague reply. This system doesn't just harm consumers. It harms small and medium businesses that pay for accreditation in good faith. When the BBB protects large corporations that fail customers, it damages the credibility of every business associated with the BBB’s brand. Accreditation becomes a liability—not a symbol of trust. The BBB promotes itself as a nonprofit—but its actions prioritize reputation management over consumer protection. If you’ve experienced similar misconduct, file your complaint with the FTC, your state Attorney General, and your state’s consumer protection agency. The BBB may ignore you—but those agencies won’t. If enough people speak up, this system of suppression will be exposed.
By Jared F.