Don’t Get Tricked by Viral $100 Stanley Rebate Scams – What You Need to Know
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
That shiny new tape measure calling your name in the hardware store will finally be yours! Tempting ads on Instagram promise a $100 cash rebate when you buy Stanley’s top-rated tools. Just click a link to take a quick survey and the money is practically already back in your wallet. But before jumping for joy, pause. Are these social media offers promising easy Stanley rebates just a little too good to be true?
Read on as we unravel the truth behind online opportunities to score $100 cash back from the iconic tool brand. We’ll reveal an elaborate scam tactic targeting shoppers itching to save on big purchases. Don’t let clever impersonators lure you in with links that look legit, but only lead to financial fraud.
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An In-Depth Look at the Bogus $100 Stanley Rebate Scam
A clever social media scam is capitalizing on Stanley’s reputation for durable, reliable tools and hardware to dupe unsuspecting consumers. Posts promise a $100 cash rebate just for completing a short survey about Stanley products. But the rewards being touted in the ads are completely fictional.
The scam ads are made to look official using Stanley’s iconic red, yellow and black logo font, images of popular products like tape measures and screwdrivers, and mention of a “$100 Visa e-gift card” as the rebate method. Attention-grabbing headlines invite people to click on links leading to sophisticated fake rebate portals designed to precisely mimic Stanley’s real rebate site.
While the URL of the fraudulent sites may be slightly different with odd words like “rewards” or “cashback” added, everything else from the visual design to the layout is meticulously copied to trick visitors.
On these convincing phishing sites, visitors are prompted to complete a rebate registration form by entering personal details like their name, physical address, email, phone number, and sometimes even credit card numbers or scans of IDs.
The scam site claims this info is needed to “confirm eligibility” for the $100 rebate. But in reality, scammers harvest this data to create in-depth profiles on victims for use in additional identity theft and phishing scams moving forward.
Often, right after users submit their sensitive information through the fake portal, they will receive very official-looking (but fake) emails from Stanley directing them to complete additional “required” steps before the promised $100 can supposedly be earned.
These emails instruct victims to fill out a product survey, provide a product serial number, and complete sketchy third-party offers from the scam site’s “sponsors.” The offers turn out to be subscriptions, malware downloads, and other profit-driving hooks the scammers likely get paid kickbacks to direct traffic to.
Despite users complying will all the steps laid out by the scammers, no $100 Stanley rebates or Visa gift cards ever materialize. But now the crooks have all the personal data needed to exploit victims through additional retail fraud schemes.
For example, scammers may use the names, emails, and addresses obtained to register accounts on other websites or make fraudulent purchases. Or they could phish for even more sensitive details to facilitate full-blown identity theft down the line.
Some savvy scammers even leverage the access to inboxes gained by victims providing their real email address to send additional fake Stanley rebate renewal notices long after falling for the initial scam. These trust-gaining techniques allow them to further manipulate victims months later.
Essentially, the only true intention of the scam ads and fake rebate websites is stealing users’ personal information under false pretenses. The promised $100 Stanley rebates do not actually exist. It’s all an elaborate ruse to obtain data and traffic for shady profit schemes.
Stanley has vehemently denied any association with these fake rebate ads and phishing portals. They warn customers to steer clear of such viral offers and instead apply for any real rebates only through trusted pages on Stanley’s official website. Stay vigilant!
How the Fake $100 Stanley Rebate Scam Fools Users
Here’s an inside look at the tactics scammers use at each stage of this prevalent con:
Step 1: Deceptive Social Media Posts
The scam starts with sponsored ads or posts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Using Stanley’s signature red branding and mention of a $100 rebate, they promote a supposedly “limited time” chance to score easy cash back.
Some versions include fake positive comments and reviews from people claiming they already got their $100 rebate. This adds bogus social proof that the offer is legitimate.
Step 2: Clicking Links to Fake Stanley Rebate Sites
When users click on the links in the scam posts, they are taken to sophisticated fake websites made to closely impersonate Stanley’s real rebate portal.
While the URL may be slightly different, everything else from the logo to the visual design is meticulously copied to dupe visitors.
Step 3: Phishing for Personal Information
On the fraudulent sites, users are prompted to complete a rebate form by entering personal details like their name, email address, phone number, and physical mailing address.
Scammers harvest this info to create profiles of victims for use in additional identity theft and phishing scams moving forward.
Step 4: Bogus Survey and Offer Completion
After submitting information, users are instructed to complete a short product survey, along with various third-party sponsor offers to finalize rebate eligibility. These leads to paid subscriptions, suspicious downloads, and other profit-driving hooks.
Step 5: No Rebate Received, Identity Exposed
Despite complying with all steps, no $100 Stanley rebate is ever received by users. But their personal information is now compromised. Don’t let a slick corporate impersonation trick you into compromising data.
Recognizing Red Flags of the Fake $100 Stanley Rebate Scam
Despite the convincing cloning of Stanley’s brand trappings, a trained eye can spot red flags proving these offers are 100% fake:
Odd URLs – The links lead to domains with variations of “Stanley” not used officially.
Spelling/grammar errors – Sloppy mistakes reveal lack of professionalism.
Vague details – Concrete rebate specifics are never provided.
Requests for data – Stanley would not need so much personal info for a rebate.
When objectively analyzed, the scam’s real goals become obvious: harvest users’ information for criminal purposes under the guise of paid rewards. Protect yourself through vigilance.
Steps to Take if You Shared Information Through the Scam
If you provided any personal details through one of these deceptive offers, take the following steps right away to protect yourself:
Place fraud alerts on your credit reports and review closely for any suspicious new accounts or charges. Continue monitoring reports for the next 12 months for further activity.
Call your bank and credit card companies to monitor closely for any unauthorized charges. Report unauthorized charges immediately. Consider requesting new account numbers if any of your current cards were compromised.
Change all account passwords, security questions, and PINs. Make them random and unique. Do not reuse the same credentials across multiple sites. Enable two-factor authentication everywhere possible.
For accounts using personal information as account recovery verification, like phone carriers, proactively contact customer service teams to update this sensitive info so it cannot be leveraged by scammers.
Run comprehensive malware and antivirus scans on all devices that accessed the scam sites or emails. Delete anything suspicious or unverified. Reset devices to factory settings if infections are found.
Sign up for dark web monitoring services that can alert you if your information begins circulating on hacker forums or ends up compromised in a data breach.
Contact the major credit bureaus to completely freeze your credit reports, which blocks new accounts from being opened in your name without approval.
Contact Stanley to notify them of the data you shared through the scam site impersonating their brand. Provide details that may aid their abuse team’s investigation.
Avoid further engagement with any emails from scammers now that they likely have some personal data. Do not open attachments, click links, provide additional info, or comply with any requests.
File an identity theft report with the FTC and your local police department. Having a report on file can help resolve any fraudulent accounts or charges.
Do not panic, but act swiftly and comprehensively. By taking the right security steps, you can detect and mitigate potential misuse of your information obtained through scam sites. Remain vigilant moving forward and use this experience to bolster your online defenses.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Here are some tips to protect yourself from fake rebate and account phishing scams:
Verify opportunities directly through Stanley’s official website and social media rather than trusting third-party links or messages.
Search online to confirm an offer’s legitimacy before providing personal information anywhere. Look for scam reports.
Analyze URL links closely to spot typos or odd domains signaling imitation sites.
Read all terms, privacy policies and disclosures fully before entering any personal data.
If an online offer seems too good to be true, it almost always is. Err on the side of caution.
Staying vigilant requires work. But outsmarting scammers gets easier the more you learn their tricks. Protect your identity and accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Fake $100 Stanley Rebate Scam
1. How do I recognize a fake $100 Stanley rebate offer?
Red flags include links to odd URLs rather than Stanley’s official site, grammatical errors, requests for sensitive personal information upfront, vague details about the rebate program, or pressure to complete additional offers. Legitimate rebates will be promoted directly by Stanley with transparent terms.
2. What information do the scammers ask for in the phishing forms?
They typically request full name, physical address, email address, phone number and sometimes even credit card numbers, scans of IDs or other highly sensitive identification details.
3. What do scammers do with my personal information obtained through the phishing sites?
Scammers use the names, emails, addresses and other details to create profiles on victims for perpetrating additional identity fraud like registering accounts to make fraudulent purchases. They may also sell the info on dark web marketplaces.
4. Why would Stanley need my credit card or scan of my ID for a rebate?
They absolutely would not. Requests for highly sensitive information like this are a clear sign it is a scam phishing attempt, not a legitimate rebate program. Stanley only needs basic contact info like an email address to send a real rebate.
5. Are the additional “sponsor offers” I need to complete also part of the scam?
Yes. The supposedly required surveys, downloads, trials and other sponsor offers are just extra profit-driving hooks for the scammers. Completing them will not get you any closer to a real rebate, just further exploitation.
6. What steps should I take if I already provided information through one of the phishing sites?
Immediately place fraud alerts on your credit reports, change account passwords, monitor bank statements for any suspicious charges, run malware scans on your devices and refrain from further engagement with the scammers.
7. How can I safely check if a Stanley rebate offer is legitimate?
Go directly to Stanley’s official website or social media pages and search for the rebate terms there. Calling Stanley customer support can also help you verify an offer is real before providing any personal information.
8. Where can I report fake rebate scams imitating Stanley?
Notify Stanley directly through their official customer support channels. You can also report fraudulent sites, emails or social media posts to platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Google for faster removal.
9. How do I sign up for real Stanley rebates in the future?
Genuine Stanley rebates will only be offered through their official website rebate portal or mail-in forms included on product packaging. Always verify directly with the company before submitting sensitive info through a third party.
The Bottom Line
The promise of easy free money through rebates may be tempting. But engaging with these viral social media offers will only lead to identity theft and phishing at best, or full-scale financial frauds at worst.
As scammers exploit trusted brands like Stanley to lend legitimacy to cons, we must keep our guard up. When unbelievable deals pop up, restrain that click finger. Verify directly, analyze closely, and trust your instincts. Don’t become the next victim. A scam revealed is no longer a threat.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Meet Thomas Orsolya
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
