The University of Virginia has evidently contracted Publishing Concepts to update their Alumni records in 2014.
Unfortunately, UVa leadership in financial matters of late bears scrutiny. What gains to the University are offered  by Publishing Concepts and by what price?  My personal information is NOT for sale.

I hardly think this business is legitimate. My father was just scammed by them yesterday for $180. My father gets these calls all the time, and never answers them. Somehow they got a hold of his NEW bank card number and charged it immediately. I cannot even talk to someone directly to see what school it was for, in case someone used his card for thier purpose. I just was able to leave a message, which supposedly they will respond to within 24 hours.

There is very little that I can do, but contacting the TX AG and Better Business Bureau, and having the bank reverse the charges are 3 steps I am going to start with. And a fraud claim.

Are you sure you don't still work for them? After all the complaints I have read, it appears this goes on pretty regularly.

Publishing Concepts Inc.reportedly puts together information for college alumni directories.  I just received a postcard from my college asking me to call PCI to verify my info.  This happened about five years ago and I ignored the request.  The result was many calls from the number, with no messages left.  Ultimately, I answered one of them.  The info verification was brief.  The sales pitch for buying a directory was not.  Confirming info on a website presumably would work.  But personal pitches for purchases of the directory obviously result in more sales.  Shame on your university for allowing this approach.

Perhaps PCI changed its toll free number in response to posts like this.  The number listed in the postcard receive today is 877-562-6064.

Same thing, got the URGENT email from the University of Minnesota, here's what it says.

Dear *************,

Time is running out on an important University of Minnesota Alumni Association project. You recently received a request to verify your current information with Publishing Concepts (PCI). According to their records, you have not yet contacted them to confirm your information.

Please call the toll free number to speak with one of our dedicated representatives to take care of this important matter today.

Please call Publishing Concepts (PCI) at 1-866-294-5043 to update your information today. When you speak with a representative, you will have the opportunity to reserve a copy of the 2012 directory.

PCI is a trusted partner of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.  If you recently verified your alumni data, thank you for your prompt assistance.



Sincerely,

Phil Esten, Ph.D. '03
President and Chief Executive Officer
University of Minnesota Alumni Association



PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, A CALL CENTER ASSOCIATE CAN ASSIST YOU AT 1-866-294-5043 THANK YOU
M-F 7am-9pm, Sat 8am-4:45pm, Sun 11am-7:45pm CST

Email sent on behalf of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association by PCI.
__________________________________________________________________

One more reason not be part of the Alumni association at my school. Criminals.

Beedeebeedeebeedee, welcome to the 21st century, everyone!  We do not *print* information like this any longer like they did in the 20th century and before, now we publish it on websites.  That said, are we really to believe that PCI does not sell your personal information?  How could this company make enough money to pay their squadron of telemarketers to harass...err...phone and email all of these individuals who wrote on this webpage (and the thousands more who did not)?  Beedeebeedeebeedee, I'm guessing not by selling paper copies of alumni directories!  Who would purchase one?  Why even consider such a an admittedly inaccurate directory in this age of LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.?  Yes, this is a clever company that appears to be trawling websites like 'whocallsme' to essentially advertize by deflecting criticism.  And no, I am not interested in your directory, thanks -- not.  Caveat emptor.

Beedeebeedeebeedee, welcome to the 21st century, everyone!  We do not *print* information like this any longer like they did in the 20th century and before, now we publish it on websites.

Are we really to believe that PCI does not sell your personal information?  How do you think this company makes enough money to pay their squadron of telemarketers to phone and email all of these individuals who wrote on this webpage (and the thousands more who did not)?  Beedeebeedeebeedee, I'm guessing not by selling paper copies of alumni directories!

Yes, this is a clever company that appears to be trawling websites like 'whocallsme' to essentially advertize by deflecting criticism.  Caveat emptor.

This too is also very legitimate and is PCI's way of saying thank you for your purchase.

FYI they are contacting you to update your information for upcoming College Directories.. if you wish to be removed or are not interested in becoming part of the directory please contact them and let them know and they will gladly remove you/not include your information in the directory when is is published. They obtained your information via the college you attended and WERE HIRED BY SAID COLLEGE TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION.

I actually *worked* for PCI and it is a legitimate business providing a VERY usueful service along with selling alumni directories.   They UPDATE the information about to be published - according to your specifications.  In other words yoyu can be listed in the manner most agreeable with you.  EXAMPLE: You remarried.  Do you really want to be listed in the last name of your first husband and you're now on your third?  they also allow yuou the option of opting out completely.  But what professional does not want to be listed in the alumni directory if you did indeed graduate from ... let's say Princeton or Harvard.  I'd say talk to them.  I know longer work there because I found it to be the usual phone room with all the associated drama and hijinks that go on in those environs.


Last word:  It's a legitimate opportunity to alter/modify/fine-tune the way that you will be liested in the directory.  As the kids say quit hatin' on them for just doing what they do - a SERVICE.

If you answer, they will stop calling.

these guys Publishing Concepts, unfortunately, are for real.  years ago i repsonded and provided them with information so they could update my profile for my alma mater's alumni directory.  i bought into it, gave them my information and then i actually purchased a volume for myself.  they debited my account that day for some $129.99 and then i waited.  and waited.  and waited.  i did not see a directory for nearly 12-months.  and then when i got it, a portion of my personal information they had published was incorrect.  emails to them and my school helped not.  they had my money so they didn't care anymore.

i like the directory.  it's a good tool for chasing down old, sorry, former, classmates.  but they have now started contacting me again because i guess they need more money and/or they're producing another directory.  "fool me once, shame on you.  fool me twice....."

Answer this online:

1.  Why can't the alumnus update by e-mail or an online form.  I suspect it's because you don't want to have to disclose, in writing, that Publishing Concepts sells the information to companies.

2.  Does Publishing Concepts sell, provide or give away information to third parties, companies, individuals or anyone?

3.  Why is Publishing Concepts so aggressive in trying to get people to contact them?  (I have received about ten e-mails and three post cards (cards that look very official, by the way, as if they came from a government entity.)

I submit the only reason you are that persistent is because those are "sales calls" that pay off in the end (by selling private information or directories to interested third parties).  Such aggressive sales tactics would not be profitable if you sold directories only to alumni.

4.  What percentage of alumni directory sales are to companies who buy the information for marketing purposes?  In other words, what's that percentage compared to actual alumni who buy them?

5.  Does PC have these directories in digital format?  Does PC have sales brochures for the directories, that it sends to companies (insurance companies, banks, home loan industry, etc.)

6.  Does a person who gives you information for the directory waive his or her rights and protections afforded by "Do Not Call" lists, and thereby gives whoever buys the directory the right to call too?

7.  Is it your contention that once an alumnus provides you information that such now becomes public information, so there's no harm?  If so, did you give full disclosure to those people calling you?

8.  Does your sales pitch to schools into letting your company handle this is that the school can use the information gathered to solicit contributions to the school?

I searched the phone number from that provided in one of about ten e-mails I have been getting from the alleged "Associate Dean of External Affairs" of my law school, University of Oregon.  Interesting:

1.  The e-mail does not say "update" my records by e-mail.  It only provides a number to call.  (Thanks to this Site, on seeing the number of complaints I am glad I did not call these people.

2.  The e-mail had an alarmist tone to it, that I needed to update my records.  Said that "90% of people who called the them (implied it was the school I would be calling) had information that needed updating.

3.  I called the law school's external affairs dept.  Turns out, yes the name in the e-mail was in fact the "Dean of External Affairs."  But the Dean, according to the assistant I talked to, did not send the e-mails, they were being sent by the company hired to get the alumni info and produce the alumni directory.

4.  I told her about my getting at least ten e-mails and also referred her to this page.  She acted very surprised and said this was the first time the University used "that company" (I assume Publishing Concepts).

5.  I advised her that the company should not be sending out "spam" e-mails under the Dean's name, especially considering the complaints about its sales tactics.

6.  I have no doubt that Publishing Concepts sells our private information to third parties and companies.  That's a significant breach and violation of your privacy rights.  (Under the assumption that when obtaining you phone numbers, employer, mailing address and e-mail that the sales rep does NOT tell you Publishing Concepts will sell your information to anyone willing to pay its prices for the data.

7.  I can see a class action lawsuit here.  I have a friend who handles class action cases on a national scale, I am going to send this case over to him.  

8.  And unfortunately, I see the schools as being willing accomplices here.  

For one, does Publishing Concepts give them a discount in return for the right to sell our private information?

or have the schools been negligent in not checking these people out before signing contracts with them?

I keep getting emails and post cards (TWU alum)--either they do not have my phone number or they are one of the many 800 number calls I routinely ignore.  If they want me to verify or modify information, then give me a way to do it online, and I'll be happy to oblige.  I'm OK with updating alumi information, but I resent that TWU farms out this service to a company that requires that I do this via a phone conversation without the option of either updating online or by regular mail.  If they really just want to provide a service that updates alumni information (rather than sell directories or mine personal data for marketing or other reasons, then it seems they would increase their success rate by offering more options than calling 800 numbers.

Thanks for the vote Papa Q.  

The update is about a 5-10 minute process in which you will update your listing in and be offered an alumni directory, you will not be forced to buy one, or deal with a "hard sell" - the universities we work with simply would not allow that kind of behavior. You have choices of what's printed and not - we even sometimes have survey questions that will not be printed that help your university get funding through grants and such. And you might actually be surprised at how much needs tweaking or changes.  I've had people call in and say that nothing has changed and we change half the listing - promotion, moved offices, had a child, got married, got divorced, etc. .

Hours of operation currently are:
7a-9p Mon-Fri
7.45a-4.45p Saturday
11a-7.45p Sunday

One of the general lines in is: 8772592952 - this is also a number that might show on your caller id

I answered the phone and got enough info to identify the caller:

Publishing Concepts, Inc.
4835 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1100
Dallas, TX  75244
(800) 395-4724
or
Leave a message on:
(866) 454-4118 to be removed.

They claim to have the Do Not Call exception that I have a prior business relationship with them.  I do not!  They wanted to know if I was a Kappa Sigma.  I am not!

Call them on (800) 395-4724 and complain and report them to the Texas Attorney General and the Do Not Call registry.

Received a call from 856-454-4118 number. This seemed very suspicious, since they requested personal information for alumni records. Since the university, which I attended, has the updated information, already, such a call was fishy. Doing an internet investigation, I obtained the following information:

Rate Center: LAUREL SPG
State: NJ
Company: MCIMETRO ACCESS TRANSMISSION SERVICES LLC
clli: LRSPNJLSDSA
ocn: 7229
company type: CLEC
english name: LAUREL SPRINGS
switch type: Northern Telecom DMS100 (Digital) Host

Seeing that I never attended any university in the state of New Jersey, it was completely evident that this is some telemarketing deception to collect people's personal information. Who knows! It can even be something involving attempts at identity theft! Beware! I smell a dead rat with those people calling me!!!

They have called me twice at work now. The first time I told them NOT to call my work number and they quickly said they would try me at home (I didn't give them my home number). They just tried to call me again at Work but I recognized the number and did not pick up. I don't believe they should be harrassing people at the work place!

We got a call from this number at 8:46 tonight. When I see the 800 number on the caller ID I assume it's a telemarketer or some other waste of my time, but I answered just to see what the scam was.  I said hello and waited for about 10 seconds.  Finally I got a click and a dial tone.  Someone said this is a legitimate business - does anyone ever buy anything from them?  I can't imagine why anyone would!

How many times are they going to call?  I tried to call the 1800-395-4724 and they are closed.  Who sold the cell phone information?

I received a phone call at almost 9PM last night. I asked if there was a phone number in which I could call back (b/c I
noticed it was not a local number) and the man said no;but that he could call back at a better time. I have written an e-mail to the college in which I am an alum at to verify if this person is a representative for them. It is very unsettling that they know where I am an alum at and my phone number. Even though that is not my DOB, address or social it still bothers me. When I talked to the guy, the background sounded like a noisy call center....odd.

Harrassing at home...now somehow have my cell phone number.  Call repeatedly without ever leaving VM.

They said they wanted to update my info for my university where I am an alum.  They already had all the info and when I said I didn't want a copy they accepted my response easily and didn't try to pressure me to buy.  Nothing like DOB or social were discussed. It was easier for me to just finally answer to get them to stop calling.

This number has called my house many times now. Probably over 50 times in last 30 days. I never answered. They called week day, also called weekend, Sat and Sun too.

"Publishing Concepts, Inc., is a publisher of alumni directories for colleges, fraternities, and sororities".....and I've received several postcards/emails from both my undergrad and graduate colleges regarding PCI.  Both educational institutions only have my business number, since I don't want any of their soliciting on my personal numbers.  Anyhoo, both colleges are updating data for their 2010 alumni directory (which comes at an extra cost).  Alumni related web pages on both college websites also note this company doing this work.  Both colleges have the limited information I want them to have, so I'm not going to correspond with PCI.

These people have been calling my house non-stop. Yesterday they called here (8) times! No messages left. A legitimate company does not phone you all day long like this. I suspect something fishy here. We always get contacted directly from the colleges when they want to update their directories...never a third party.
I have been registered on the "Do Not Call", and have been since it went into effect. It really does not seem to matter...toll-free calls continue daily; morning and night...sometimes after 8pm, and on Sundays.... I suspect that these are all phishing calls, computers that are running to check for active phone numbers.

THEY KEEP CALLING, WHILE I AM @ WORK, BUT NEVER LEAVE A MESSAGE!

Publishing Concepts, Inc., is a publisher of alumni directories for colleges, fraternities, and sororities.

Believe it or not, they are a legitimate business.

(866) -454-4114 called six times today, twice letting the phone ring only 3 times. They also called last Sunday. One  of the ABOVE writers (thanks !) identified the company as:

Publishing Conceptes Inc.
4835 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1100
Dallas, TX 75244
(800) 395-4724 call to complain and asked to be removed.  Complain to the Texas Attorney General and the Do Not Call Registry

They said they were from Suny Brockport college & changed to a new updated system. They wanted to verify my personal information...I said I DO NOT DO THAT OVER THE PHONE & ANY INFO I NEED TO VERIFY WOULD ONLY BE DONE BY ME ON THE VERIFIED SUNY BROCKPORT WEBSITE!!
These people called me before & also used the number 866-281-2169..However, if you do your research these phone numbers are used for other companies too(that is the info I found anyway)
SOUNDS TOO FISHY TO ME..NEVER GIVE PERSONAL INFO OVER THE PHONE!!
Why would a college call & ask you to update personal info??..