According to the Federal Trade Commission, Minnesotans lost $144.6 million due to fraud in 2024. Scammers posing as legitimate businesses are among the culprits, even some with positive Google reviews.
“We are one of the most visited websites in the country with more than 220 million visitors a year,” said Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas, president and chief executive officer of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Minnesota and North Dakota. “A lot of people are checking out businesses at the BBB.”
The BBB works to offer a trusted community marketplace by creating a place for consumers to check on businesses and also a place where businesses can get accredited, which is a process built on 8 standards. “You need to have committed to transparency and offer clarity around your pricing, among other criteria,” said Niedfeldt-Thomas…