Beware the “WCBRB Best Businesses in America” Email — It’s a Scam!

If your business recently received an email from someone claiming to be with the “WCBRB Worldwide Certified Business Review Board,” congratulating you on being selected as one of the "Best Businesses in America 2025," be cautious—it’s a scam.

Here’s why this message is not a legitimate award or recognition, but a cleverly disguised attempt to lure businesses into paying for a fake endorsement.

Red Flags in the Email

Let’s take a closer look at the email and break down why it raises multiple red flags:

1. You Didn’t Apply for Anything

One of the easiest ways to identify a scam is this: Did you apply for or nominate yourself for this recognition?

Legitimate awards or certifications usually involve an application process, peer nomination, or performance-based evaluation. In this case, the email says you’ve already been selected and approved—but you never applied. That’s not how real business awards work.

2. No Independent Verification or Credibility

Search online for "WCBRB" or “Worldwide Certified Business Review Board,” and you’ll find very little credible information about the organization. There’s no transparency about:

• Who runs it

• How businesses are evaluated

• Who’s on the board

• Any past winners (besides other businesses they’ve spammed)

This is typical of scam “award” organizations that exist solely to sell certificates, badges, and online listings that hold no actual value.

3. It’s Not Really Free

The email avoids mentioning any cost upfront, but the next step—filling out a registration form—is designed to funnel you toward a pay-to-play scheme. Once you “accept” the recognition, you’ll almost certainly be asked to pay for the certificate, badge, or listing.

This is how award scams operate: they bait you with praise, then charge you for the privilege of displaying a badge that no one has heard of.

4. Generic Praise with No Specific Criteria

The email uses vague, feel-good language like:

“Customer Satisfaction,” “Business Leadership,” and “Strong Vision”

But it provides no actual benchmarks, customer reviews, or evaluation data. There’s no mention of how your business supposedly met these criteria, or who reviewed it.

Real business accolades are supported by measurable data—revenue growth, community involvement, customer ratings, innovation, etc.—not generic corporate buzzwords.

5. Suspicious Contact Info & Domain

The email ends with a Gmail-based form and contact address which lacks the professionalism of a legitimate business entity.

In addition, the official website, wcbrb .com, is poorly maintained and may not even list real businesses—another sign that this is a front for collecting fees from unsuspecting recipients.

What This Scam Wants

Scammers like this prey on the desire for recognition and credibility. They know small business owners are proud of their work and eager to promote their achievements. This email plays on that emotion by offering a fancy-sounding title and promotional tools—for a price.

In exchange, you’ll likely get:

• A digital “certificate” you print yourself

• A badge you can paste on your website

• A listing on a low-traffic site no one visits

• …and a lighter wallet

What To Do Instead

If you receive an email like this:

• Do not fill out any forms or provide payment info

• Mark it as spam or phishing

• Spread the word to other business owners so they don’t fall for it

If you're looking for legitimate ways to gain recognition, consider:

• Applying for Better Business Bureau ratings

• Seeking reviews on trusted platforms like Google, Angi, or Houzz

• Entering regional or industry-specific business competitions with transparent criteria

Final Thoughts

The “WCBRB Best Businesses in America” email may look flattering, but it’s nothing more than a vanity scam. Real awards are earned—not bought. Protect your business’s reputation and resources by steering clear of schemes like this one.

If you've been targeted by a similar scam or want help identifying questionable solicitations, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help businesses stay informed and protected.