text: One thing to remember is that BBB is a NON PROFIT organization, not a government body. Their mandate is to guard for "truth in advertising." A company can be legal even if they don't join BBB. BBB, like any organization, cold calls businesses and asks that they join BBB. Many legitimate businesses don't join, but it doesnt mean that they are not legal. They're just not BBB members.\n\nIf you know the state the business is registered, and if they are a corporation or LLC, the state may have a database that you can search.\n\nYou can also buy a credit or business profile report from Dun and Bradstreet http://www.dnb.com . Or Experian Business http://www.experian.com/business/bcr.html , whose business credit reports are cheaper than D&B \n\nYou can also check the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of the business at either http://www.freeerisa.com/Extras/EINFinder.asp?mode=SEARCH or http://www.knowx.com