Sequoia Research

The AFL-CIO has been one of the highest-spending and most politically active unions over the years. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the AFL-CIO spent almost $9 million on independent expenditures and communication costs during the 2012 campaign cycle. The vast majority of its spending has gone to either support Democrats or oppose Republicans.

The AFL–CIO engages in substantial political spending and activism, typically in support of Democrats and liberal or progressive policies. The AFL–CIO was formed in 1955 when the AFL and the CIO merged after a long estrangement. Membership in the union peaked in 1979, when the AFL–CIO had nearly twenty million members.

Not satisfied with that kind of uncertainty, Kalla and Broockman teamed up with Working America, the political organizing branch of the AFL-CIO, to conduct nine more field experiments in a 2015 primary, a special election that year, and the 2016 general election. These were large-scale experiments that radically increased the evidence base they had to work with — “by about a factor of 10,” Kalla and Broockman write.

Victim Location 30220

Type of a scam Other

The mail notice offers a gift card to complete the survey; well on FUTURE surveys. They claim it’s just for my state and that I was randomly selected. The only option is via website, there is no phone number to call, and questions go to "edward" at xxopinion.org. The "xx" denotes state abbreviation, as I have discovered multiple instances of other states abbreviations being used. All with the name "edward". Seriously what kind of superman would you have to be to be able to handle surveys from all 50 states? As the only way to contact "edward" is to send an e-mail, thus giving out my e-mail address (NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN), the only recourse is to report the scam. Please shut this shyster down.

I live in Iowa and I got the same letter. I have no intention of taking this survey because from what I’ve read it asked for political and religious viewpoints. My religion is private as are my politics, unless I’m in the voting booth alone, and if and when I choose to worship. This thing is not only a scam, it is an invasion of personal privacy.

They are hitting Iowans with the Iowa Opinion Survey. The survey looked very legitimate. Had a graduate course on doing social research and this pretty much followed what was taught, so I can’t tell if this is a scam or not. The secretiveness does make one wonder. Most survey firms are above board on who they are, maybe not, probably not, tell you who their client is. Other than an email address no personal information was asked for, but the question is where did there get the mailing address for the letter (probably bought voter lists from the Iowa Secretary of State.)

Sequoia Research, LLC is a validly-formed Delaware LLC. It has qualified to do business in at least one state – California – and those who received the Opinion Survey will note that the USPS Postage Permit is #1935 from Sacramento, CA. (You can bring your mailpiece to your local Post Office to obtain more information about the permit, if you are interested.)

The two individuals named in the California filing (https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Document/RetrievePDF?Id=201825510046-24895162…⇄ are David Broockman and Joshua Kalla. David is a professor who works “with politicians, political activists, companies, and more to design randomized field experiments that help understand how politicians, voters, and consumers decide,” and Joshua is “an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Data Science at Yale University [who studies] voter behavior, public opinion, and political advocacy, generally through the use of randomized field experiments.”

The addresses listed at the bottom of each mailer are third-party mailing centers used to receive mail – like private post office boxes. I suspect the survey designers used regional addresses to provide a greater sense of local comfort and social proof to respondents – a good idea.

All in all, I do not think this is a scam. I think it is likely a valid survey that will be used for political purposes for the upcoming 2020 general election.

(I still can’t quite figure out why the survey operators targeted me and my spouse. I suspect it has something to do with a recent donation to the Congressional Black Caucus via ActBlue, but that data is not showing up in FEC filings yet, so I have to believe that it is either ActBlue sharing data with the survey folks, or some other scraping method.)

You can add Kentucky to the list, as I got one today. But if this is a phishing scam, what are they phishing for? And who’s funding it, cause giving everyone a giftcard after all the expense of sending these mailers is going to be expensive. However, anyone who has taken the survery on this page seems to say it’s just political stuff. So I start to wonder what group wants opinions, but doesn’t want to reveal who they are so that people will answer regardless of their feelings about the source of the poll. I’m registered independant, so I tend to get stuff from both parties trying to swing my vote. Just some thoughts.

3 July 2020 – received a letter to take survey “Maine Opinion Survey, respond by July 13th at meopinion.org…” “signed” A. Edward Wright, Manager, Maine Opinion Survey, [email protected] A project of Sequoia Research, LLC – 3330 W 26th St, Ste 4-265 – Erie, PA 16506″. 3330 W 26th, Erie PA is a PostNet Mailing & Shipping. Not taking the survey –
if not a scam, why not be aboveboard about The who, what, where, why…

Sequoia Research, LLC is *NOT* a legitimate entity in MN. Go to Minnesota secretary of state business search page and “sequoia research” returns no results. The address, 1113 7th St NW Rochester, MN is the address of a small shipping store, UPS/FedEx/DHL dealer, #1024 is likely a mailbox inside the store. The website also has a whois guard so you cannot see who the site is registered to. This is not a legitimate research organization. I would NOT answer this survey. Probably some George Soros voter fraud attempt.

Same letter, same company, different State… SCAM

Got this in the mail today. 7/2/2020.
Montana opinion survey… I decided to look it up and couldn’t find anything. After a couple googling minutes, I saw this site, which confirmed my suspicion. They had my correct name, but no apartment number. I’m not even going to the website. It’s either phishing scam, or considering our current political climate, it’s some form of a mail-in voter suppression thing.
DON’T GO TO THE WEBSITE !

Got this letter in Kentucky. Claimed to be about understanding “issues important to our community” but then asked me what news channels I watched and followed up with a long sequence of questions on my thoughts about the Senate and presidential candidates, my political party, and who I will be voting for. Not sure how any of that is meant to “help the community”.

100% a scam to just harvest people’s information and opinions, though why I don’t know. Maybe to sell information. The address they gave is some unrelated business in Minnesota and the company doesn’t seem to exist.

It was sent in a pretty official looking type of envelope, but it’s clearly fake.

Also, looking them up on ICANN was a dead-end. They used namecheap.com to register the website domain and have a Panama-based privacy service preventing people from seeing their identity/location.

I and my girlfriend also received the survey saying it would help understand views of people like us in Maine on important issues in our community. After starting the survey I found it not to be as portrayed in the letter, mostly political in nature and unrelated to the real issues of our community. The further I got into it the more and more I began to feel it was politically motivated and not pointed to issues what I wanted to answer so I closed the browser.

Victim Location 59911

Type of a scam Phishing

Thank you for already having information on this "company" in your system. I received the same letter you describe for Minnesota as a "Montana Opinion Survey" in late June. Scampulse reports letters also received in Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina: https://www.scampulse.com/sequoia-research-reviews

I’m also in MT and received this in the mail today. Same story as everyone else. Got through all the questions, all very political, then decided to check into it before submitting. Couldn’t find any information, the “mtopinion.org” website does not exist, and there’s nothing about this survey linked to any state or university websites. Seems fishy to me, and I closed my internet browser without submitting the survey.

I’m in Montana, received one too! Looks like a scam!, feels like one!, now after reading all these posts I’m leaning towards the fact that it is a Scam! Closely related to the “political” aspect since I was the only around this immediate area that returned a mail in ballot. 🦆

This invitation to a opinion survey came addressed to myself and my son, the last name was not mine, that was the first clue. The second clue was that when I tried to find mtopinion.org on google, what came up was listings for the Montana Dept of Justice. Googling the name A. Edward Wright, brought up info about railroads and I also (third clue) googled Sequoia Research and found scampulse and here I am…

Sequoia Research appears to be a legitimate Delaware LLC, file number 6045763. They are also filed in California, file number 201825510046.
They could have hired “A. Edward Wright” to do the leg work.
Their offering gift cards is not unusual, though most researchers avoid the expense. I once received a solicitation with a dollar in cash, and another time with a shiny new nickle.
It would be interesting to know who their client is, but unless it is a foreign entity, it probably doesn’t matter. I didn’t bother asking.

Received an invitation for the Michigan opinion survey, with the $5 gift card offer. I’ve done another similar survey from a Yale University research, and that one was legitimate, at least, I did receive a gift certificate after each survey. This one says it’s “non-partisan”, but it was mostly questions about political beliefs, religious beliefs, and feelings about current affairs. Same address and manager, A, Edward Wright, miopinions.org, Sequoia Research, LLC 1113 7th St. NW #1024 Rochester, MN 55901-1763

I received and answered the Michigan Opinion Survey from A. Edward [email protected] Questions all seemed to be politically related. I did receive an electronic $5 gift card for Amazon (they offered several choices, including donating your card to charity). I have not uploaded the gift card info into my Amazon account. After reading all the comments on this site, it still seems unclear if this is legitimate or if people are just skeptical.

After reading the postings here, it seems the states these surveys are going to lean towards left of center/ “blue”. MN, WI, MI, NC; My political leanings are right of center. I wonder how many of you are similar? It said “nonpartisan”, but since the questions were mostly on political & religious ideology, I wonder if it’s about finding out your political leanings for some group that wants it’s identity kept unknown. NOT GOOD!

I also received such a letter. It promises a $5 gift card for each follow-up survey I take.

At the bottom of the letter, it says:

A project of Sequoia Research , LLC
1113 7th St NW #1024
Rochester, MN 55901-1763

I looked up the address on Google Maps. The street view shows the location is a Navis Pack & Ship Center located in a strip mall. I suspect the “#1024” is the number of a rented mailbox there.

ICANN reports that the domain name given in my latter, “mnopinions.com”, was issued by “namecheap.com” on 2018-08-06 and will expire 2020-08-06.

The sender claims to be:

A. Edward Wright
Manager, Minnesota Opinion Survey, [email protected]

I filled out the Wisconsin survey today. I consider myself to be fairly vigilant in these matters, but nothing raised any alarm bells with me in this case. I did not find the questions strange or suspicious, and they didn’t ask for a lot of personal information aside from email address. I’m not saying it couldn’t be some sort of scam, but no one who has posted seems to have any actual information. It’s all speculation. I don’t claim to know one way or the other, but does anybody actually KNOW anything about this? (Just as an aside, the letter I received did not offer a $5.00 gift card for the current survey. Instead, they promised a card for any future surveys you fill out for them.)

My wife and I received one today from the Georgia Opinion Survey (gaopinion.org), A. Edward Wright, Manager with the listing at the bottom shown as “A project of Sequoia Research, LLC,
6255 TownCenter Drive Suite #855, Clemons, NC 27012. As you mentioned, this version offers the gift cards ‘for each follow-up survey you take.’ I don’t like the fact that there doesn’t seem to be a way to verify who’s collecting all this information.

I just took the survey here in Wisconsin with a Sequoia return address in Rochester MN. After taking the survey I concluded that this may be a method to see who to knock off the voting rolls. I would advise everyone to check and KEEP CHECKING to make sure you don’t get removed from the rolls or given a “provisional ballot” – which gets thrown in the garbage. Does anyone have any more info on who is funding this survey?

received a letter in the mail, telling me to take this survey and would receive a $5 gift card for my participators[‘action

Just received my Minnesota Opinion Survey which offered me gift cards for completion of future surveys. The letter stated that it could only be completed by computer or smartphone. VERY FISHY. I did not login. Just wanted to add my voice to the list here.

wiopinioin.org…seriously? Just another scam! A genuine article doesn’t need to proffer
“gift cards”[again, seriously?] to participate; as they might suggest in Scandinavia,
suge pikken!

Received the letter yesterday, thought I’d be happy to answer some questions in light of recent events. I don’t trust anyone anymore so I did a quick google search first and after being asked “are you sure you didn’t mean Sequoyah National Research Center”? “are you sure you didn’t mean Sequoia Research at Yosemite National Park”? I figured it was a scam, after telling google no to it’s two suggestions I found myself here. What to you all think the hook is with this? Information fishing?

DO NOT TAKE THE SURVEY!
I also received this survey yesterday from Sequoia Research in Rochester, MN. I did go in initially to start the survey. I figured giving feedback was something good I could contribute.
I got through 26% of the survey and thought the questions were very strange. I mentioned this to my husband and he told me to go to their website (which didn’t work) and to read reviews before continuing. I came across everyone’s feedback here and I am so appreciative! I closed out of the survey.

AGAIN, DON’T TAKE THE SURVEY.

June 5, 2020: I received a letter in the mail from Sequoia Research, LLC, 1113 7th St. NW #1024, Rochester, MN 55901-1763. It was a Wisconsin Oopinion Survey, and I too was offered a $5.00 gift card for participating. If it was from a real opinion survey company, I am pretty sure I’d do the survey for free…I decided to look up the company, and the page I’m on now came up first in the search. Below is a picture of what the letter looks like. I’m not participating.

Received a letter to take a survey from mnopinions.com. Think it is a scam. They offer $5.

Scammer’s website mnopinions.com
Scammer’s address 1113 7th St.NW #1024
Scammer’s email [email protected]
Country United States
Type of a scam Other
Initial means of contact Postal mail

Received letter in the mail from Sequoia Research LLC, 1113 7th St NW. #1024, Rochester, MN. 55901. Fortunately, the website didn’t open. Since when does a survey promise you a gift card for answering their questions. Like the report above, mine is from Minnesota.

Scammer’s website mnopinions.com

Scammer’s address 1113 7th St.NW #1024

Scammer’s email [email protected]

Country United States

Type of a scam Other

Initial means of contact Postal mail

Just got the letter in the mail to take the survey and get a 45 gift card for the second survey taken. after reading saw this is a scam and wanted to report.

Invitation today in the mail to do surveys for NC via computer or phone. Will get $5 gift cards reward. They got my name and address, but thanks to my research and these postings, I will not go on the website and give them my computer. Yikes! I hope they don’t scam too many people. I know better, but I was pulled in by that gift card offer.

I also received this invitation in North Carolina. Thanks to everyone before me who did the research and reported this scam.

I also got a letter from North Carolina Opinion Survey with a return address of Sequoia Research LLC in Clemmons, NC. The actual company Sequoia Research has a disclaimer on its website saying that it is Not associated with the LLC and that they do not mail out surveys. The letter states that the Only Way to respond is by going to ncopinion.org Thank you Scam Pulse for circumventing any impulse I had to respond.

Ok, chalk up another survey recipient…like Glenda and Michaux, mine also from Clemmons, NC. So glad I researched first. Let’s get James Vietch to respond (watch him bait email scammers here: https://youtu.be/_QdPW8JrYzQ)

Received a letter from Sequoia Research LLC, 1113 7th St NW #1024, Rochester, MN today. Letter advises I’ve been selected tp participate in the 2020 Michigan Opinion Survey and offers a gift card for participation or charity to donate same to. When I Google this address a Navis packing and shipping business is located there. The envelope had no return address and postage was prepaid out of Sacramento CA.

It creeps me out too they got my name and address. Like I posted, at least they won’t get my email or computer info.

Thanks Janet. I got a Michigan Opinion Survey for me and my son. Same letter information, with need to respond by June 18. Makes me creeped out as they have my current name, which was updated in January so their mailing list is current.

I just got one today, in NC. An invitation to participate in the NC Opinion Survey. Sequoia Research LLC. No information online, except the address in Clemmons is a mailing center that rents mailboxes. SCAM.

I just received such a letter in North Carolina. Their address is 6255 TownCenter Drive Suite #855 Clemmon, NC 27012 I’m about to Google this address and going to check these people out. I’m suspicious of this mess. Glad I ran into you guys. I also saw an address in California.

Received a letter in the mail, telling me I had been randomly selected to represent a nonpartisan survery of people in Michigan. Letter stated that there had been a small number chosen to participate in the 2020 Michigan. The letter also stated that I would receive a $5 gift card for my participation.

Victim Location 78028

Type of a scam Phishing

Received a letter from Texas Opinions Survey. Said we were randomly selected to represent people in our neighborhood. Gave us a login to take the survey. Said "for each follow-up survey you take, we will send you each a $5 gift card". Searching the address came up with a Post Net location only, and other searches of this name turned up nothing.

Victim Location 48085

Type of a scam Phishing

Our household was targeted for a potential phishing scam. "A project of the Sequoia Research, LLC" with an address that is a rented mailbox from a strip mall shipping company in West Lafayette, IN.

A search of the Indiana business entity websites shows no businesses incorporated with that name nor at that address.

The text of the mail requests that we sign in to participate in a computer or smartphone survey and receive an amazon or target gift card for participating.

Victim Location 78028

Type of a scam Phishing

Received a letter in the mail, telling me I had been randomly selected to represent people in my neighborhood, and that there had been a small number chosen to participate in the 2018 Texas Opinion Survey, a confidential, nonpartisan survey of people in Texas. The letter also stated that I would receive a $5 gift card for my participation.