CHICAGO -- The BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois is reporting exceptional increases in both inquiry and complaint activity for the month of March.

Consumers across northern Illinois are increasingly turning to the BBB for information before they purchase goods or services. Inquiries were up 143 percent reaching nearly 200,000 compared to figures from March of 2007.

Director of the BBB's Regional Office in Rockford, Dennis Horton says "these numbers are partially indicative of our economic times. When consumers must spend money on products or for services they want to make sure they'll get what they pay for. They need to feel they can trust the companies with whom they chose to do business and for that trust they are turning to the BBB".

Construction and Remodeling Services was the number one business category that consumers sought information on. Rounding out the top five were Movers, Roofing Contractors, General Contractors, and New Car Dealers.

Complaints to the BBB increased almost 25 percent over a year ago. With more than 43-hundred complaints filed. Horton says "in January we reported a new record in complaint handling for 2007. With the March increase we appear to be on pace for another record breaking year".

Horton attributes the rise in complaint activity in part to heightened awareness of the Bureau. "We have been working, for some time, to make consumers more aware of the BBB". Additionally he says "we continue to work with the media as we strive to make the public aware of shady businesses and all the scams that are out their where consumers can potentially loose thousands of dollars".

The top five types of businesses that were the subject of complaints were: Department Stores, Financial Services, Collection Agencies, New Car Auto Dealers and Natural Gas Companies.

Consumers seeking BBB Reliability Reports or to file a complaint can visit our website at www.bbb.org.