Miranda Pederson/Daily News Linda Chambers is the manager of the Better Business Bureau in Bowling Green.

As manager of the Bowling Green Area Branch of the Better Business Bureau, Linda Chambers often hears that many people think the bureau is only a place where the public can make complaints against businesses.

While it’s true the BBB takes such complaints and helps settle consumer disputes with businesses through telephone talks, mediation and arbitration, the bureau can also help the public in many other ways.

&#8220We report on all businesses, whether they’re a member (of the BBB) or not,” Chambers said.

By contacting the Better Business Bureau, anyone can find out if a business they’re interested in has been in place a year, gotten all required licenses and paid its taxes.

If someone requests information about a business the BBB hasn’t got a report on, the bureau will ask the business to fill out a business profile so they can share it with the public.

If a business refuses, that will be made known.

&#8220We want to have a relationship between the customers and businesses,” Chambers said, &#8220and want to promote ethical businesses in the community.”

The Better Business Bureau is a non-profit organization funded by membership fees from businesses who have met the bureau’s criteria for being ethical.

All the bureau’s services are free for consumers and can now be found online at www.ky-in.bbb.org.

One of the most helpful services the BBB offers for those over 60 is the free contract review program, through which students at the University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law will review contracts to see if they’re legitimate, Chambers said.

Helpful services include free alerts and news about scams and businesses; a list of BBB member businesses in a &#8220Wise Buying Guide;” a list of reputable, as well as unethical, charities in a &#8220Wise Giving Guide;” talks to clubs, civic groups, organizations and schools, upon request, by Chambers; and free tips and information on how to save money on everything from home repairs to heating bills.

&#8220We can tell you what you need to do to buy a used car,” for example, Chambers said.

Member businesses also benefit from the BBB through the exposure the bureau gives them, affordable insurance through the bureau and free Web pages.

Joe Davis, president and owner of BBB member business Gerald Printing, is on the bureau’s local advisory committee and said he encourages anyone with a question or complaint about a business or charitable organization to contact the bureau.

&#8220I see it as an organization that’s going to help all of us improve our business community and keep it accountable, whether it’s from advertising practices or being fair and honest with customers,” Davis said.

Alan Cannon, president and owner of BBB member business Capitol Window & Door, is also a member of the bureau’s advisory committee and said he thinks all businesses should belong to the bureau.

&#8220The reason I got interested and involved is because many years ago I was part of the Kentucky Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Task Force and I realized how many people are taken advantage of by businesses that don’t use what I call proper business practices,” he said. &#8220Based on that, I feel like it’s really important, more of an obligation, for a business to be a member of the Better Business Bureau. They’re basically a watchdog group to make sure businesses are acting ethically and with honesty and integrity.”

Davis said he likes the BBB’s tagline, &#8220The Mark of Integrity.”

&#8220A business that supports the Better Business Bureau is supporting integrity throughout the business community,” he said.

Chambers said the public should check up on businesses and charitable organizations before they do any business with them.

&#8220It’s always good to be safe ahead of time, so that who you’re dealing with is who they say they are,” she said.

And no one should be shy about reporting a complaint or something they’re concerned about regarding a business, suspected scam or charity.

&#8220I always heard the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask,” Chambers said, &#8220and that’s the way we feel about it. It’s never wrong to ask the question. If you think it may be something (unethical), ask, and we’ll let you know.”

– For questions or complaints for the BBB in Barren, Butler, Edmonson and Warren counties, call 781-8445 or (800) 388-2222. For information about being a member of the BBB in those counties, call 843-4333. The BBB branch in Nashville covers Logan, Simpson and Allen counties and can be reached at (615) 242-4222