Glenn Beck has regularly defended precious metals dealer and advertiser Goldline (for whom he's done personal testimonials) against congressional scrutiny by touting the company's “A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). But reports have surfaced, from Mother Jones and ABC, that the BBB's ratings have more to do with how much money a company pays the bureau than what sort of service the business provides to its customers. Now, ABC News reports that the BBB has acknowledged “automatically giv[ing] better grades to its member businesses” is changing their policy on payments and ratings:

Under fire for its controversial rating system, the Better Business Bureau has announced that it will no longer automatically give better grades to its member businesses. The action comes on the heels of an ABC News investigation into allegations that the BBB is running a “pay to play” scheme in which A plus ratings are only awarded to those businesses that pay membership fees, and lower grades are given to those who don't.

However, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, a prominent critic of the BBB's rating system, said he remained “troubled” by the system and wanted the BBB to make more extensive changes.

Steve Cox, the CEO and President of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, announced that by next week the BBB ratings system will no longer give extra points to businesses that pay for accreditation. Under the current system, extra points are awarded to member businesses and only those that are accredited can receive the coveted A plus rating. In addition, the BBB announced that it will conduct a review of its accrediting process and “as soon as possible, make changes that will apply system-wide.” The BBB says an “independent third party” will assist in the review process.

If it wasn't clear before, it is now - the “A+” rating mantra repeated by Beck doesn't appear to have any serious independent authority behind it.