Torchlight - Fall 2025

TORCHLIGHT BBB® | Fall 2025

All Integrity Movers on trust, service and using your BBB Accreditation to the fullest - pg. 4

Accredited Business owners share the impact of marketplace education - pg. 8 Find out what’s new with your BBB - pg. 10

Virtis Lewis All Integrity Movers

The official magazine of Better Business Bureau® Serving Greater Missouri & Southern Illinois

MAKING CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS WITH BBB ACCREDITATION

Each year, many people decide when and where they want to go to get into shape. They go to their nearest fitness center and sign up for a membership. Some people will crush it and see great results. They go to the gym regularly and take advantage of everything the space has to offer.

Some people won’t be as successful. They maybe go a few times at first, but don’t really use the facility much.

After a couple of weeks or months, they’ll decide to drop their membership and go on about life.

Being Accredited with the Better Business Bureau is kind of like having that fitness club membership: You get out of it what you put into it.

Unlike fitness centers, which take anyone who has the ability to pay, it is more difficult to become Accredited with BBB. Every Accredited Business and Accredited Charity goes through a thorough vetting process. BBB does not just allow anyone to carry the torch logo. They earn it and agree to adhere to our standards.

Those businesses that thrive because of the BBB Accreditation put in the added work that helps set them apart. BBB has a track record of connecting Accredited Businesses with customers who value trust.

How can you best utilize your Accreditation to make those connections?

For starters, what does your BBB Business Profile look like? Millions of consumers turn to BBB.org each year to find trustworthy businesses – last year, your local BBB received 6.5M web visitors and 4.2M Business Profile inquiries. Make sure that your profile is loaded with relevant information for potential customers.

A complete profile with details about your products and services, reviews from customers, and accurate, up-todate information is one of the key ways to leverage your

BBB Accreditation. It makes it easy for that consumer to find what they need to know about your business.

An optimized BBB Business Profile helps with search engines and AI answer engines, which can help you stand out from the crowd. Adding your company’s logo and listing information about products or services you offer makes the profile even stronger. You can add social media handles, photos and video and list any refund or customer service policies there.

Do you use the BBB Seal in your marketing? A recent BBB survey found that 82 percent of consumers believe “trust sets the foundation for the purchase of goods and services.” Consumers associate the BBB Seal with trust.

And because your business meets ethical standards, you can use it on your website, business cards, invoices, vehicles and marketing materials. Make sure you are harnessing that power – you earned it.

Are you using BBB services to start and build relationships with your customers? BBB’s Get a Quote tool lets customers request a quote from you on BBB.org, giving you new leads without any extra money or effort. Last year, local customers requested over 8,000 quotes from Accredited Businesses. Make sure you’re set up to receive quotes so you’re not missing out.

Are you driving your customers to BBB.org to file customer reviews? Those reviews aren’t just a good way for new customers to see your company’s good track record – encouraging your current customers to leave a review builds goodwill and trust.

BBB customer reviews stand out from others online – not just because they’re associated with BBB’s trusted name, but because we verify them. We verified and published nearly 15K reviews from real customers last year. BBB uses a proprietary algorithm to aid in identifying fake reviews, and we make every effort to verify that a review is based on a real marketplace interaction.

BBB TIPS, RIGHT IN YOUR INBOX. Scan to sign up for BBB’s weekly email newsletters for businesses and consumers!

← Business owners can get:

← Your employees can get:

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News, insights and exclusive BBB business tips Updates on BBB events Learning opportunities including webinars and courses

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Consumer tips for safe shopping, cybersecurity and finding trusted businesses with BBB 1-minute polls to help make businesses better

When your business receives a review, you are alerted so that you can be part of the process. You have the ability to respond to the review and let us know if you question the reviewer’s legitimacy so we can investigate before it is posted for consumer to see.

Did you know you have Regional Directors near you who can help you use your BBB Accreditation to the fullest? Our region runs wide and deep: We service more than 100 counties in southern Illinois and greater Missouri. We have experts in each of those markets that you can turn to if you need assistance.

Regional Directors are willing and able to help you get the most out of your BBB Accreditation.

Those regional directors also provide outreach services for BBB, as they regularly speak with community groups, including business groups, senior groups and high school and college classes. Last year, BBB conducted over 200 presentations to help businesses and consumers work better together in the marketplace, and reached 1.5B people through news coverage of marketplace tips and scams – all of which helps encourage savvier consumers to seek out trusted businesses like yours.

Finally, did you know you have access to BBB’s local consumer polls? At BBB.org/local/0734/bbb-polling-page, you can see what the region’s consumers value most when working with a business.

In this issue of Torchlight, you’ll learn how to take advantage of everything BBB Accreditation has to offer – and you’ll see some great examples of how BBB can connect you with new customers and help strengthen your existing relationships.

Without your support, we couldn’t do what we do.

Your commitment and belief in BBB have helped us thrive for more than 100 years in this region. We appreciate that support.

We are hopeful we can help you get as much as possible out of your BBB Accreditation, as we enjoy putting everything we can into making it a valuable asset for your business or charity.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Carolyn Beard

Tom Linhares

Don Brown

Lauren Marks

Angela Caputa

Meghan McClure

Angela Courtwright

Sean Nesbit

Terri DeMent

Brett Randoll

Joe Fisher

Stefan Sigurdson

Tom Gershman

Ben Stegmann

Callier & Thompson Kitchen Bath Appliance Don Brown Chevrolet Hoffman Brothers

More for Less Remodeling Nestlé Purina

DH Pace Company, Inc. Gershman Mortgage

Seth Goldkamp

Dodge Moving & Storage Co. Graybar

RubinBrown

Fence & Deck Depot McBride Homes

Allen Roofing & Siding Second Mile Service Company

Design Aire Heating & Cooling

Heidi Singleton***

Barry Grant

Todd Smith**

Katie Hopkins

Mary Schwartz Westerhold

Gonzalez Companies, LLC Truck Centers, Inc.

Schron Jackson Schnuck Markets

Greg Kendall* Commerce Bank

Sarah Kiefer Maritz

John Legens Drury Hotels

Ted Liebig

TREND Manufacturing Co.

AAF Ad Club STL

Waterway Carwash

Madison Communications

Launders Wince Ameren MO

Adriane Yates Spire

Michelle L. Corey**** Better Business Bureau

* Chairman of the Board ** Immediate Past Chair *** Advertising Club President **** President & CEO

Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Missouri & Southern Illinois 211 N. Broadway, Ste. 2060 St. Louis, MO 63102 Phone: (314) 645-3300 Fax: (314) 645-2666 Hannah Kloppenburg, Editor Email: hkloppenburg@stlouisbbb.org Cover photo by Carla Smith

Michelle L. Corey President & CEO, CAE

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Torchlight (ISSN 1547-2043 USPS 053-540) is published quarterly

by Better Business Bureau, 211 N. Broadway, Ste. 2060, St. Louis, MO 63102. Subscriptions are available to BBB Accredited Businesses only. Periodicals Postage Paid at St. Louis, MO. Postmaster please send change of address to: Torchlight, Better Business Bureau, 211 N. Broadway, Ste. 2060, St. Louis, MO 63102.

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There’s a lot to unpack in BBB reviews for All Integrity Movers, a BBB Accredited moving and storage company serving the St. Louis metro area.

They speaks to their character, how they choose to operate and treat customers, and their expertise.

But they’re also a sliver of insight into how BBB Accreditation connects businesses to customers and helps you build trust from start to finish.

There is a huge element of trust when hiring a moving company – after all, all your earthly belongings are at stake. BBB connects customers with many trusted, BBB Accredited moving companies, but also receives reports about moving companies that didn’t fulfill their promises or failed to care for a customer’s belongings properly.

Owner Virtis Lewis said he founded All Integrity Movers to meet that need for trust.

“I saw a real need in the St. Louis area for a moving company that put honesty, professionalism, and true customer care at the center of its services,” Lewis said. “Too often, families and businesses feel stressed and worried about how their belongings will be handled. I wanted to build a company that people could count on, one that delivers a stressfree moving experience with integrity in every step.”

Virtis Lewis, Owner of All Integrity Movers, at the company’s office space in Chesterfield, Mo., wearing a Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. jersey. Lewis and his company work with Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. to support Black-owned small businesses with mentorship and other resources.

INTEGRITY ON THE MOVE “We moved long distance last year...it was terrible! So this time I did research - reviews, BBB search, everything. I found All Integrity Movers had a good BBB rating along with many good reviews. I reached out and spoke with Virtis and he answered all my questions with experience and patience. He helped us find the best solution for our move, while keeping our budget in mind.

The crew showed up on time and jumped right in!

We had a very positive experience with them and wouldn’t hesitate to use them again!”

- Sara P., BBB Customer Review 4 | BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

Lewis founded his business after earning decades of management experience in the transportation industry. All Integrity Movers can assist with all aspects of a move, from labor to logistics to management. With offices in Belleville, Il. and Chesterfield, Mo., they serve both residential and commercial customers across the St. Louis metro area and surrounding counties.

They take pride in being a family-owned company, with Lewis’ sons Chase Jameson Ragsdale and Christian Clark carrying on the business as Operations Managers.

If you’re wondering what to expect from All Integrity Movers, it’s what’s on the label: Integrity is both in their company name and at their foundation.

“What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to integrity. Every move is treated as if it were our own belongings,” Lewis said. “We use the right tools and techniques, invest in training our team, and focus on efficiency without sacrificing care.”

Integrity can mean going above and beyond on the job. Once, a customer left hundreds of dollars in cash in a dresser drawer during a move, and All Integrity Movers made sure it was safely returned to her. They particularly take pride in the work they’ve done to help seniors and assisted living community residents with their moves.

However, integrity also carries into what you do outside your daily work. One way All Integrity Movers gives back is through Lewis’ membership in Phi Beta Sigma, Inc., and involvement in the Bigger and Better Business program, a fraternity effort to support Black-owned small businesses with mentorship, networking and financial education.

“To me, running an ethical business means doing the right thing even when no one is watching. It means being honest in pricing, transparent in communication, fair in treatment of employees, and respectful of customers’ property and time,” Lewis explained. “Ethics aren’t just a checklist; they’re the foundation of our brand. Integrity is not just in our name; it’s in our daily actions.”

In 2021, that commitment to integrity in their daily actions made becoming BBB Accredited a natural step for All Integrity Movers.

“It reflects the values we built our business on: trust, honesty, and ethics. Accreditation is a way to publicly affirm our commitment to those principles, and it sets us apart in an industry where reliability is everything,” Lewis said.

Lewis said that All Integrity Movers has been able to take advantage of their BBB Accreditation in a few different ways to help connect his company with prospective customers who are looking for movers they can trust.

He explained that having a BBB Business Profile “helps prospective customers feel confident in choosing us because they see verified reviews, our Accreditation, and our consistent engagement.”

Lewis also said that using the BBB Seal on their branding materials has helped to make a strong first impression: “[It] tells customers that All Integrity Movers is a company they can trust. It communicates that we meet rigorous standards, that we are accountable, and that we care about ethical business practices.”

“When people see that seal on our website or trucks, they know we’re backed by an organization that stands for integrity just like we do,” he said.

For new leads, Lewis says that All Integrity Movers has found success with BBB’s Get-a-Quote tool. The company is one of BBB’s top Get-a-Quote users and claims most of the quotes sent to them in an average of just 14 minutes. “Many of our leads come directly through this channel, and we’ve converted them into long-term, satisfied customers,” he said.

These platforms help All Integrity Movers reach customers who are specifically looking for someone they can trust. And it’s not just about having the tool, but how you use it: “We pride ourselves on responding quickly – typically within the same business day, often within just a few hours,” Lewis continued. “We know moving is time-

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sensitive, so fast communication makes a big difference for customers who are making important decisions.”

However, leads alone do not a business model make.

From there, great service, communication and business practices that align with BBB’s Standards for Trust will determine whether you’ve gained a loyal customer.

“To find someone reliable, I visited the Better Business Bureau website and searched for local movers...Virtis sounded sincere and friendly and said he bases his entire business on personal integrity. Working with him, I found his employees honest, very professional, hardworking, efficient, and very careful with my belongings. His employees are good-hearted and they care about you, and they do their very best to help you. I found them to be trustworthy and most reliable. I highly recommend All Integrity Movers. That name says it all.”

- Nancy T., BBB Customer Review “We build trust by being transparent, responsive, and dependable. From the first quote to the last box, we communicate clearly, show up on time, and handle belongings with care. Trust is also built by standing behind our work. If something needs attention, we make it right. Customers know that with All Integrity Movers, they’re not just hiring a service, they’re gaining a partner who values their peace of mind,” said Lewis.

To build a track record of great service, Lewis said All Integrity Movers encourages customers to leave a review at BBB.org and other platforms. “Positive reviews build trust with future clients, and constructive feedback helps us improve. The BBB platform gives those reviews credibility, which is why we make it a regular part of our follow-up process,” he elaborated.

They also prioritize responding to reviews whenever possible, making the positive impact stretch even further: “Reviews are not just feedback; they’re opportunities to show customers we care. Responding demonstrates accountability and gratitude. Whether a review is glowing or points out an area for improvement, engaging with it shows that we listen and take action,” Lewis explained.

All Integrity Movers is celebrating a successful seven years in business, and in the future, Lewis hopes to keep amplifying his business’ track record of trust even further.

“My goal is to continue growing All Integrity Movers into the most trusted moving company in the Greater St. Louis region and beyond,” he said. “Ultimately, I’d like to create a business model that sets the standard for moving services built on trust, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.” BBB

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We asked consumers:

HAVE YOU FOUND A GREAT BUSINESS THROUGH BBB?

How did you find the business with BBB? Looking for a company that made awnings for doors and windows and found Awning Concepts on the BBB website.

Called them, ended up contracting with them for a door awning.

What was your experience like? Courteous, helpful and friendly. Went out of their way to assist me and did a beautiful job.

- Carolyn W., St. Louis, Mo. How did you find the business with BBB? [Search engine that brought up results from BBB]

What was your experience like? Exterior Experience LLC is a partnership of twin brothers who learned their carpentry craft from their father; they are very precise and professional and also friendly and courteous. They completed my covered back porch/deck last fall (2024) and we love it. Also, I had a problem with one of the boards bowing late this summer (2025) and called them.

They came out and reconstructed the entire side of the porch at no cost, always with a smile on their face; my husband especially was impressed with their expertise.

- Patricia J. C., St. Louis, Mo.

What was your experience like? Outstanding from sales through installation. Windows Doors & More LLC sets the standard for how a home improvement company should be. From their sales person to their installers & their product we experienced conscientious people, skilled at what they do, efficient, knowledgeable & honest. And, how often does the owner of the business call after installation to ask how everything went? Wow.

- Susan T., St. Peters, Mo.

How did you find the business with BBB? [On BBB.org] I searched for “deck construction.”

How did you find the business with BBB? Specified the type of company I needed for the job I needed did and scrolled the list searched reviews and chose from among the list.

What was your experience like? My experience with S2C Roofing Co. LLC was very good, they came and gave me a good estimate and did the work as specified in the contract.

- Anthony D., St. Louis, Mo.

I felt more confident using BBB rated businesses and made sure each one knew that I had consulted BBB ratings.

It was easy to find local businesses. I recommend checking this website to those who need a professional quote.

- Maribeth C., O’Fallon

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How did you find the business with BBB? The online tools offered at BBB are all you need to locate one or more competent providers of services. The data they provide there on each company is exactly what matters for that type of search.

What was your experience like? BBB helped me identify some competent companies that serviced my area and could take care of a power washing project at my home. I chose to reach out to Precise Pressure Washing LLC via telephone and also via email, so I could provide photos. Owner Zach Dane got back to me right away and continued to be a great communicator throughout the work. His team went above and beyond to get our brick facade looking good again. I would absolutely recommend Precise Pressure Washing to others needing this service and BBB helped me find them!

- Jackie O., Chesterfield, Mo.

How did you find the business with BBB? Found an insulation company. Loved their reviews, including pictures.

What was your experience like? I used Pure Insulation [now Foam Engineers] to address an attic moisture problem. I was very pleased with their personnel, their service and their product. I would highly recommend them to anyone.

- Jan M., St. Louis, Mo. How did you find the business with BBB? After the storm and hail damage we needed repairs. We contacted one contractor and had bids, but we couldn’t come to an agreement on repairs. We then went to the BBB site to find a different contractor.

What was your experience like? Tesson Roofing & Exteriors LLC did a great job for us. Very responsive, professional, and reasonable estimates. Completed our repairs on time and on budget.

How did you find the business with BBB? I searched for business dealing with the type of work I need done around the home and what type of rating they get and Preferred Plumbing was at the top.

What was your experience like? I have used Preferred Plumbing many times and have found them to be very professional, and their rep. very friendly and informative when it comes to repairs or installation.

- Armando O., O’Fallon

I can always count on the BBB to give accurate information. I have never been disappointed with the companies I hired. In fact, this is the only site I search.

- Deborah M., Wentzville, Mo.

- Ken B., Arnold, Mo.

BBB ACCREDITATION: THE AI ADVANTAGE Consumers are using AI “answer engines” like ChatGPT and CoPilot more and more to find businesses to work with. Your BBB Accreditation has always been a symbol of trust for customers, but did you know it may help your business be more visible in AI search results?

Scan the QR code to learn more. →

WANT TO KNOW WHAT’S ON YOUR CUSTOMERS’ MINDS? BBB St. Louis regularly polls local consumers on their buying habits and top priorities when working with a trusted business. We also ask local business owners to weigh in on industry trends, strategy and pain points.

These polls are intended to help you grow your business and meet customers’ needs.

Scan the QR code to see insights from BBB marketplace polling! →

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OUT AND ABOUT BBB education and outreach is making marketplace trust a reality

Your support as an Accredited Business helps BBB play a vital role in the marketplace: Sharing free education with students, consumers and businesses like yours to help everyone make wise marketplace decisions.

BBB Columbia Regional Director Khesha Duncan presents to the Jefferson City West Rotary Club.

During any given week, BBB staff members are on the move in our region, making a free presentation on one of many marketplace topics.

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BBB presents to businesses and their employees, as well as local business groups like Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis Clubs, on topics like cybersecurity, avoiding scams at work, BBB resources for ethical businesses, and tips to grow your business.

BBB staff meet with local community groups or seniors’ groups to share tips for smart shopping decisions, cybersecurity, avoiding scams as a consumer, and using BBB to find a trusted business like yours.

And for students, BBB staff help foster the next generation of trusted business leaders through presentations on ethics. This will encourage students to make ethical decisions as they go on to engage in the marketplace as consumers and business professionals.

BBB has plenty of free information to benefit small businesses directly, but ultimately, marketplace education is good for everyone. As businesses, consumers and students learn how to navigate the marketplace safely and treat one another with trust and respect, doing business becomes easier for all.

For Jeanetta Hawkins, Owner of Personal Touches by Jeanetta, Inc. in St. Louis, Mo., the creative business fell into place naturally – and now, she’s ensuring the next generation of professionals has what they need to learn and be successful.

8 | BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

BBB was able to help her work toward that goal at a recent presentation.

Hawkins says her creative streak as a child grew into a passion for design and led her to start her own business in event design. Over the past 37 years, she has brought many high-profile events to life in the St. Louis region, including the grand opening for St. Louis’ MetroLink transit stations, a kickoff rally for the St. Louis Rams, the dedication for the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation and an event for former president George W. Bush.

Her son Joshua Hill grew up in the family business, and today, Hawkins’ grandchildren are learning the value of hard work and seeing how it pays off in the events they manage.

“It’s just teaching them life lessons within the business itself. The importance of work ethic and being kind, that they can make someone’s day, they’re responsible, working hard, earning things. We are in a great position being second and third generation, but we still have to put in the work,” said Hill.

Jeanetta Hawkins, Personal Touches by Jeanetta, Inc.

Hawkins’ intent in attending a recent BBB and BMO Bank event on small business credit was to pass business knowledge down to her staff. “For me, in the 37 years I’ve been in business, I’ve continuously been a student of the industry,” she said. “I’m not building for myself anymore. Now I’m building for the next generation.”

Hawkins shared that when she started out as a business owner over 30 years ago, she was able to raise her low credit. “It took a lot of discipline and understanding of how credit works. I wanted to bring my team so they would understand the importance of credit,” Hawkins said.

Free business resources can help soften some of the tougher aspects of being a small business owner. Hawkins said business ownership has its challenges and benefits: “My philosophy is that I’m unemployed after every event...and so I try to make sure that every event is done with love and respect and giving our best at all times. Not taking them for granted, but proving ourselves over and over again,” she said.

Attendees listen to presenters at the BBB/BMO Bank small business credit seminar in summer 2025.

“But the beautiful part of owning your own business is that the sky is the limit.

You don’t have anyone that’s putting a cap on you, saying what you can’t do,” she continued.

“I love what I do, making the clients happy and making people’s vision come to life,” Hill added. “Sometimes people have no idea what they want, sometimes they have every idea what they want. It’s on us to listen, comprehend what they are asking for, and make it all happen.”

Hawkins and Hill said that in the future, they’re looking forward to digging into more of the educational and networking offerings available through BBB on topics like AI. “You can never learn too much,” Hawkins said.

A free BBB presentation helped share cybersecurity tips with members of the Republic Area Chamber of Commerce in Republic, Mo. that may have been difficult to find elsewhere.

Macy Mitchell, Republic Area Chamber of Commerce

“It’s one of those subjects that isn’t glamorous, but it’s incredibly helpful,” Macy Mitchell, Executive Director, said of the presentation.

“You have new business owners going into it that are over their head in emails and information, where it’s really easy to click on something and get a scam. And before you know it, they’re way behind getting their business up and running because they’re chasing down their identity or lost funds. I’ve also got several friends who are very successful business owners that have been scammed, and it has cost them tens of thousands of dollars in repercussions.”

He said that some of the stats BBB Springfield Regional Director Pamela Hernandez provided during the presentation helped put things into perspective for his membership: Only 50% of U.S. small businesses have a cybersecurity plan, and nearly 80% of businesses were targeted by cyberattacks last year.

“If there was not a plan in place or you’re not knowledgeable about these sorts of things, then you’re up a creek real quick,” he said. “When we can get

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out there and get ahead of it as the Chamber, this truly helps us be advocates for our businesses.”

Mitchell elaborated that many people who attended the presentation has stories about a cybersecurity incident that had happened to them, and many said they planned to talk to their employees about it.

The Republic Area Chamber of Commerce’s mission is aligned with BBB’s in many ways. Their goal is to create a better business ecosystem, which benefits the entire community in the long term.

Mitchell said he’s proud of recent initiatives that further that goal, including the Chamber’s biannual Republic Chamber Chatter magazine showcasing members and events; and the Roar Business Expo, which allowed the Chamber to give back to the community with school supplies, free haircuts and food, as well as to showcase members’ businesses.

As a business owner himself, Mitchell expressed the Chamber can benefit the whole community with events like the Expo – but also by uplifting its membership with education and anything else they need. He said that as a nonprofit having access to a free BBB presentation for his members was “a beautiful thing – because then we’re able to spend our money on members in different ways.”

That’s the ripple effect of marketplace education in action – it makes the local business community better for everyone, including the next generation of business professionals and current owners of trusted local businesses.

When you become BBB Accredited, you gain access to new learning opportunities, but you’re also contributing to (and benefitting from) BBB’s work to improve the marketplace through education.

For both Personal Touches by Jeanetta, Inc. and the Republic Area Chamber of Commerce, these resources combined with the power of trust make BBB Accreditation a worthwhile investment.

“Our relationship with our clients a lot of times becomes personal because of who we are and what we provide. It’s not just the service – we’re good, honest people with integrity,” Hill said. “People do their research. They look for what people think about us before making decisions. Having the BBB Accreditation will definitely enhance that.”

Hawkins agreed: “It is extremely important that people trust you. We’ve started getting an influx of referrals...that’s based on trust. BBB has a reputation of its own, meaning that it’s been vetted.

To have that [BBB] Accreditation alongside our others helps people to make a decision if they’re faced with two or three different companies.”

“We want to provide support to local businesses and nonprofits, but most importantly, for the human spirit. I think it’s very easy as a business owner to feel alone, to be anxious, to be afraid, to be stressed, to be up at night wondering how you’re going to make it. The Republic Chamber is that partner, that advocate that is Members of the Republic Area Chamber of Commerce listen as Regional Director Pamela Hernandez shares cybersecurity tips. in the trenches with you,” he said. “It’s our duty to promote their eco“I think the BBB is known for its crednomic growth by offering networking ibility. It’s known for its nonbiased opportunities, community events and resources and values. It’s advantageous supporting local policies that benefit for anyone to use, whether it’s a small their businesses.” business owner, a corporation or somebody looking at local economic growth In the future, Mitchell said he’d like to and resources that can be used in their partner with BBB on more presentaown organization,” said Mitchell. “They tions to help educate members in areas don’t have to own a business to utilize where they can’t get resources otherthe BBB. That goes for consumers that wise. “I think it’s a benefit not only to the can reach out and learn about other Chamber at large, but also to show the businesses as well. I’ve always found it value of having a connection with the Better Business Bureau,” he said. a great value.” BBB

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WHAT’S NEW WITH YOUR BBB

Above: BBB staff pose in front of the Old Courthouse and Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Mo. during BBB’s annual Fun & Team Building Day.

Above, left: BBB Cape Girardeau Regional Director Sydney Waters presents to the Herrin Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and sponsored by the Bank of Herrin.

Above, center: Waters speaks to older adults at Chateau Girardeau about scam awareness.

Above: Accredited Businesses and BBB Springfield Regional Director Pamela Hernandez mingle at a BBB Coffee Connections event at Mama Jean’s Deli.

Above, right: BBB Communications Director Sarah Wetzel presents on digital scam awareness in the St. Louis area.

IABBB APPOINTS NEW CEO REBEKAH DOPP The International Association of Better Business Bureaus (IABBB), the governing body and unifying hub of the BBB network, has appointed Rebekah E. Dopp as Chief Executive Officer. Dopp brings more than two decades of leadership at the intersection of media, technology, and institutional reinvention. She is the founder of Exponent EBI and has held executive roles at HBO, CBS, Google, YouTube and The CW.

Above: BBB Columbia celebrates 1 Million Cups’ 12th anniversary at Equipment Share.

Left: BBB Columbia Regional Director Khesha Duncan attends a Camdenton Chamber of Commerce open house.

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The appointment comes at a pivotal time for BBB. With more than a century of data capturing how businesses and consumers engage, and with trusted local relationships that anchor communities, BBB is uniquely positioned to lead in the AI era as the definitive source of trust. Throughout her career, Dopp has demonstrated that BBB’s greatest strength – local trust built one relationship at a time – can be scaled to deliver lasting impact across industries and communities.

Welcome, Rebekah Dopp!

ONLINE GAMBLING SCAMS BBB Gambling and Gaming Study | 2025

Your support allows®BBB to conduct research that helps advance ethics in the marketplace. Our latest study dives into the rapidly growing online gaming and gambling industry. Its quickly changing regulations are leaving consumers confused — and in some causes, leaving them open to fraud.

GREY MARKETS AND ILLEGAL GAMBLING Scam reports and complaints to BBB about online

LEGAL BETTING TYPES

gambling gaming have more than doubled BBB studyand finds consumers confused and upset amid hundreds since 2023. The industry is experiencing a meteoric ofrise, unlicensed and unverified casinos and sportsbooks. and regulations differ from state to state, causing confusion, frustration and pitfalls for

Key findings uninformed or inexperienced bettors.

• Scam Tracker reports and complaints to BBB about 2023-2025: Reports online gambling have more to BBB than doubled since 2023 across North America • Consumers reported experiencing confusion, frustration and scams

173

BBB Scam TrackerSM Reports

• Patchwork regulation across states creates pitfalls for uninformed bettors

16,252

Types of legal online gambling

BBB Complaints

Reports across North America (2023-2025)

Red flags of a scam

• Big promises around payouts 16,252 173

Sports Betting Sports Betting and iGaming No online gambling allowed

Complaints • Tempting ads BBB Scam SM BBB Trackerlocations reports • toOverseas business •

Sweepstakes-style games

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Payments made in cryptocurrency

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Typos in names

Red Flags

Tips

Blue: Sports betting Green: Sports betting and iGaming Red: No online gambling allowed

Big promises around payouts

• Read your state or province's laws

Tempting ads

• Check to see if the casino

• Even legitimate websites may freeze winnings, be prepared

How to avoid online gambling andis gaming • If you believe you have a or sportsbook licensed scams:

Overseas business problem with gambling, Even legitimate websites may freeze • Read your state’s or province’s laws locations • Read reviews,• especially contact the National • Check to seegames if the casino or sportsbook on BBBispages winnings, so be prepared Sweepstakes-style Gambling • If you believe you Problem have a problem withHotline licensed • Check out the fine Payments made in (1-800-GAMBLER) gambling, contact the National Problem • Read reviews, especially on BBB pages print, especially around cryptocurrency Gambling Hotline (1-800-GAMBLER) • Check out the fine print, especially around incentives and rules • Report scams to BBB.org/ScamTracker incentives and rules Typos in names

Read more on this scam and others at BBB.org/ScamStudies TORCHLIGHT

Report scams on BBB.org/scamtracker

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