At Berkeley Search, the trust and safety of the people we interact with are of the utmost importance. Recently, we were alerted to a concerning situation involving fraudulent text messages that falsely claimed to be from our company. These messages attempted to collect personal information, including details such as age and Social Security Number (SSN).
How We Learned About the Issue
The first reports came from individuals outside of our organization who received suspicious texts appearing to represent Berkeley Search. These messages often contained vague job-related language and asked recipients to share sensitive personal information. Thankfully, a few vigilant recipients took the extra step to contact us directly, raising the alarm.
Our Immediate Response
Upon receiving the first reports, we took the following steps:
- Internal Review: We conducted a prompt internal audit to confirm that no part of our team or software (CRM, ATS) were involved in the dissemination of these messages. We verified that our databases and communications platforms remain secure and uncompromised.
- Public Communication: We published a notice on our website and LinkedIn to inform visitors of the situation. Our message clearly states that Berkeley Search will never ask for personal information such as age or SSN via text message or any unsecured platform.
- Reporting Channel: We encouraged anyone who received these fraudulent texts to forward the messages to us at info@berkeleysearch.com and to mark them as spam through their mobile providers. This helps reduce the reach of these scams and protects others from falling victim.
- Ongoing Monitoring: We continue to monitor for additional reports and work closely with SRA.
Unfortunately, these fraudulent messages are being sent from various unrelated mobile numbers, often through temporary or masked phone services. This makes it extremely difficult—if not impossible—to identify or block the source directly. These numbers change frequently, which limits the effectiveness of traditional takedown or reporting efforts.
While we are doing all we can to track the issue and report it to relevant authorities, we also recognize that some level of risk may persist. That’s why awareness and prevention are key.
A Note to Our Community
We want to reassure our clients, candidates, and partners that safeguarding your privacy and security is a top priority. We are deeply grateful to those who brought these messages to our attention, and we encourage continued vigilance.
If you ever have doubts about a message claiming to be from us, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly. We are always here to clarify and support.
Thank you for your continued trust.
— The Berkeley Search Team
