Better Business Bureau Issued Scam Warning

Scammers are impersonating employees from DoorDash, UCSF, and Freedom Debt Relief to steal funds.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Financial Crime

Better Business Bureau Issued Scam Warning

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The Better Business Bureau has warned San Francisco residents about active scammers posing as representatives from DoorDash, UCSF, and Freedom Debt Relief. Criminals are using stolen personal data to trick victims into providing sensitive information or money.

Why it matters

These impersonators use specific details about recent orders or medical visits to appear legitimate during phone calls. The scheme aims to compromise financial security and gain unauthorized access to online accounts.

The Better Business Bureau issued this public warning following reports of fraudulent activity involving $300 gift cards and unauthorized collection notices. The investigation into the identities of the individual scammers is ongoing.

The players

Better Business Bureau

This private, non-profit organization focuses on advancing marketplace trust by monitoring business ethics and warning the public about fraudulent schemes.

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital

This medical facility is part of the University of California, San Francisco system and has been cited in reports of fraudulent collection notices.

DoorDash

This technology company provides an online food ordering and delivery platform that has been impersonated by scammers to target drivers and customers.

Freedom Debt Relief

This company offers debt settlement services and has confirmed that individuals posing as their employees are unauthorized.

The details

Victims have reported being asked for verification codes, email addresses, and payments during unsolicited calls. Companies like Freedom Debt Relief have confirmed that these callers are not authorized to act on their behalf or contact customers regarding identity theft.

The Better Business Bureau issued the formal scam warning on October 14, 2026.

Legal Context

This warning fits into a broader national surge of imposter scams where criminals leverage stolen data to bypass security protocols. It follows a documented trend identified in the 2023 FTC reports on imposter scams regarding institutional impersonation.

Residents should remain vigilant against unsolicited calls requesting verification codes or payments, even if the caller cites recent hospital visits or delivery orders. If contacted, verify the request by calling the official customer service number of the institution directly.

The takeaway

Never provide verification codes or personal information over the phone to callers who initiate contact. You should always independently verify a caller's identity by contacting the organization's official, verified phone number.