Senator Avella Issues Warning of Fraudulent Company Running “Alumni Directory” Scheme

(Queens, NY) – Today, State Senator Tony Avella issued a warning about a fraudulent company titled “Alumni Research, Inc” which has been preying on unsuspecting senior citizens. Claiming to work on behalf of local alumni associations, the company calls seniors suggesting that they purchase an Alumni Directory they have compiled.

Senator Avella has already had several constituents fall victim to the ‘company’, indicating that the scheme has evidently run across multiple states, even though “Alumni Research, Inc” is incorporated in the state of Florida. After researching the matter, Senator Avella discovered that the Attorney General of Florida is already involved in an active investigation of the fraudulent company, and Avella has asked New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to coordinate with the Florida office.

While Senator Avella has written to Acting Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, the best protection is awareness and understanding of how these scams operate.

“While law enforcement will inevitably clamp down on these predators, the best way to protect yourself is awareness. We need people to understand how these scams operate so that they can protect themselves. If someone is calling you on the phone asking for money, it’s important to be highly skeptical before signing a check; It’s important that you research who is calling you before you pull out the check book. These people are experts at deceiving you out of your money and they know how to fake legitimacy. If you suspect that someone is trying to or has scammed you, please call my office,”cautioned State Senator Tony Avella.

Avella also recommends contacting the Queens District Attorney’s office for information concerning their Elder Fraud Unit, a program which Senator Avella has allocated funding to which specifically assists victims of telemarketing and consumer scams, credit card fraud, identity theft, caregiver financial crimes, ‘sweetheart’ scams and mortgage fraud. The District Attorney has a special Assistant District Attorney assigned to provide information on the nature of these schemes, assist victims and prosecute predators.