[US, California] Fake DoorDash Delivery with Picture of my current front door

In June 2026, a resident reported a distressing experience involving a suspicious text message claiming a DoorDash delivery had been made to their home. Despite neither the resident nor their roommate placing an order, they received a notification stating that a driver named Vivian had left a delivery, accompanied by a photo of the victim's front porch and a suspicious link.

What happened

The incident involved a targeted delivery notification sent to the resident's mobile number. Upon investigating, the resident confirmed that the photo attached to the message was taken at their current residence, as a specific object on the porch—visible in the image—was still present at the time. The victim did not click the provided link, which is a common vector for phishing or malware distribution.

While the victim initially feared the image might be AI-generated, the physical presence of the item in the photo suggested that an individual had been at the property to capture the image. This event highlights the growing concern over privacy and safety when unknown actors possess both a resident's physical address and phone number. The victim faced difficulty seeking assistance through DoorDash's automated customer service channels. This case serves as a warning regarding delivery-themed social engineering tactics, where scammers use real-world imagery to create a false sense of urgency and legitimacy, potentially aiming to steal personal information or credentials through fraudulent links.