Better Business Bureau

• 1). Go to the Better Business Bureau website.
  
  
• 2). Click on the USA Site link or the Canada Site link.
  
  
• 3). Enter your ZIP code to bring up the local site for the BBB near you, and click the "GO" button.
  
  
• 4). Click the "Check Out a Business or Charity" link on the upper-left side of the page.
  
  
• 5). Enter the name or partial name of the Business or Charity on the top line under the "Business/Charity Name" tab. You can also enter a complete or partial address.
  
  
• 6). Click the Search button to get search results below the search box.
  
  
• 7). Find the business name you are interested in and click the "View Report" link underneath it.
  
  

Credit Bureau

• 1). Get the tax ID number of the business. For small businesses, also get the Social Security number of the owner of the business. Businesses can get this information after a company wanting to do business with them signs a form authorizing them to review financial information on the business and its owner.
  
  
• 2). Submit the information to the chosen credit bureau or Dun & Bradstreet.
  
  
• 3). Follow the instructions of the credit organization to get the financial information.
  
  

Business Directory by State

• 1). Go to your state's official website.
  
  
• 2). Go to the Business Directory.
  
  
• 3). Follow the onscreen instructions.
  
  
• 4). Call the contact number on the website if you cannot find the information on your own. The contact at that number might direct you to the appropriate section of the website or to another source of information.
  
  

Chamber of Commerce

• 1). Go to the Chamber of Commerce website.
  
  
• 2). Click in the "Search by Name or Keyword" box to enter a name or partial name. Click in the "Search Near" box to enter a location. Click the "GO" button.
  
  
• 3). Select to search by "Popular Categories" or "Top Cities." Or you can click the "Browse the Complete Business Directory" link at the bottom of the page.