Q.
I feel rejected. Why can't I join? My online business is only six
months old, but I'm doing pretty well. Having your seal on my site could mean more
business for me.
A. We're
not rejecting you as much as we're making a place for small businesses that have already
built a good local reputation . . . the kind of businesses that might qualify for a
local bank loan. We also want them to be of a caliber that they could qualify as a member
of the BBB if they chose to do so. Our members have been in business at least a year, have
a secure server for any online sales, and gave us a release to have a D&B credit
check.
We will be happy to consider your application
at a later time.
Q.
What's the difference between PrivacySecure® and organizations
like BBBOnLine® and TRUSTe®?
(see Note)
A. We all
have the same high standards, but PrivacySecure® is designed for small, well-established,
privately-held businesses trying to establish an Internet presence. Membership fees with
many such organizations are based on annual income. PrivacySecure® bases its fees on the
number of employees in a company, so the fees are generally much more affordable for small
companies.
Q.
Is this program expensive?
A. We
have tried to keep our prices very affordable, so that small businesses
will find it to be cost-effective. Read more about our prices here.
Q. I
haven't incorporated my business. Are you more inclined to have members that are
incorporated than those using the d/b/a status. If so, why? And what kind of help would I
need if I decide to incorporate?
A. There is no greater
chance that a corporation or a non-incorporated business will be approved for
PrivacySecure® certification. The critical factors are more related to our ability
to verify that the company is conducting its business with consumers and business
associates in a fair and ethical manner and that the business is reasonably
well-established in its community. Businesses interested in incorporating can do
so online at www.inc123.com for $99.95
(Note: PrivacySecure® does not guarantee this price, which is subject to change without
notice.) or can contact a local attorney.
Q. How
can the BBB have records on my business if I'm not a member?
A. Anyone,
member or not, can establish a file with the BBB. Then, if others contact them, asking
about your business, the BBB can respond appropriately. It's better to establish a file
than to have the BBB say they know nothing about you. See www.bbb.org
for details.
Q. I
don't understand privacy policies. What difference do they make to me? Sometimes I just
click onto a site, look it over, and leave. Surely there's no way they can know anything
about me unless I fill out one of their forms!
A. A company
which has (and follows) an established privacy policy is telling its customers and
visitors that they do not need to be concerned that information collected on the site
(name, email address, buying habits, etc.) will not be sold to the highest bidder and will
not cause them to get onto hundreds of junk email lists.
Many people aren't aware that by merely visiting a Website,
the site tracking system can sometimes isolate visitors' e-mail addresses, browsers,
operating systems, screen resolutions, and screen colors, etc. It's very easy for any
company to simply say they will respect the privacy of users. If they are not
willing to have their policy tested (or "audited"), perhaps it is unwise for
users to believe that they will do what they say they will do.
Privacy Secure acts as a public watchdog for consumers and
as a stamp of credibility for companies.
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