Beware of emails claiming you won a free Stanley tumbler. These messages pretending to be from Stanley are a phishing scam to steal your personal information. The emails state you can claim a stainless steel tumbler prize by taking a survey. However, the survey is fake and will take your data for identity theft and credit card fraud.

Overview of the Stanley Tumbler Scam

The Stanley tumbler survey scam sends phishing emails that impersonate major retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart, Target, and Home Depot. The emails falsely claim the recipient has won a free Stanley-brand stainless steel tumbler, water bottle, or other drinkware item.

Some examples of misleading subject lines used are:

• “Congrats! Claim Your Free Stanley Tumbler from Your Recent Dick’s Purchase”
• “You’ve Been Selected for a Free Stanley Tumbler at Walmart – Act Now!”
• “Hurry! Your Stanley Tumbler Prize is Ready from Your Target Order – Claim it Now”

The body of the email congratulates the recipient enthusiastically and states they have been chosen to win a limited edition or custom Stanley tumbler based on previous purchases at the mentioned retailer. Language designed to build excitement and urgency is used about claiming the prize.

A prominent “Get Started Now” or “Take Survey” button in the email directs recipients to a fake phishing site pretending to be affiliated with the retailer. However, the URL may initially appear legitimate, containing the retailer’s name and words like “Survey” or “StanleyTumbler” to seem real.

In reality, these emails are completely fraudulent, sent by scammers to harvest personal information by exploiting the Stanley brand reputation. The fake survey asks for your name, address, email, phone number, and credit card information under the guise of needing it to process your prize shipment.

However, the scammers instead use your details for identity theft and credit card fraud. The emails are designed to look authentic, often using Stanley’s logo and mentioning wanting feedback to improve products. But it is all a deceitful scam targeting bargain shoppers.

How the Stanley Tumbler Survey Scam Works

Here is a closer look at the step-by-step process used by scammers running this survey scam:

1. Recipient Gets Email Claiming They Won a Tumbler

The first part of the scam involves the victim receiving an email informing them they have been selected as a “Stanley Winner.” The message will come from an address designed to appear like an official Stanley or stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart, Target, and Home Depot.

The subject line will read something like “Congratulations Stanley Tumbler Winner!” or “Hurry to Claim Your Stanley Tumbler Prize!” The body of the email will congratulate the recipient and claim that based on their purchase history they have qualified to win a Stanley tumbler by taking a short survey.

2. Person Clicks Link to Take Survey

Eager to claim their free prize, the recipient will click the prominent link or button in the email to take the survey right away. However, instead of being sent to the official Stanley website, the link reroutes to a fake domain operated entirely by scammers.

The URL may initially look convincing, containing the Stanley name or words like “StanleySurvey” to appear affiliated with the real company. But the survey page is a complete sham designed only to collect personal data.

3. Survey Asks for Personal and Credit Card Information

The survey starts off innocuous enough, asking basic questions about beverage preferences and cup usage. But soon it begins requesting much more sensitive information including:

• Full name
• Home address
• Email address
• Phone number
• Credit card details

Victims are told this data is needed to process their tumbler shipment. In reality, it is harvested to commit financial fraud.

4. Recipient Gets Fake Confirmation Message

Once the victim enters all their personal information and submits the survey, a confirmation message appears thanking them for participating.

It states that their tumbler will be shipped out in 6-8 weeks after order processing, making it seem like the prize is legitimate. However, this confirmation means nothing since no tumbler exists.

5. Credit Card Used to Make Unauthorized Charges

While the scammed user believes they are waiting for their free Stanley tumbler to arrive, the scammers have already taken their credit card number and are putting it to criminal use. They rapidly make charges for:

• Recurring monthly subscriptions, often for over $100 per month. This may include shady services related to finance, insurance, or questionable health products.
• Smaller $1 or $5 charges listed as “shipping and processing” fees for the imaginary tumbler. This tests the validity of the stolen card.
• Larger one-time purchases for hundreds of dollars or more for illicit services or products.
• Purchases from dummy corporations created by the scammers to launder money.

By the time the credit card statement arrives showing these fraudulent charges, the scammers have already disappeared with the money.

How to Spot the Stanley Tumbler Survey Scam

While scam emails may look convincing at first glance, there are several red flags that can help you identify and avoid this phishing con targeting Stanley shoppers:

• Unsolicited Email – Legitimate market research surveys will not be sent unprompted. Be wary of any email about a Stanley tumbler survey you didn’t request.
• Grammatical/Spelling Errors – Phishing scams often contain typos, awkward phrasing, and other errors. Authentic Stanley emails would be professionally written.
• Requests Personal Info – Stanley would never ask for sensitive details like credit cards and SSNs randomly through a survey link. This is a huge red flag.
• Generic Greetings – Scam emails use generic greetings like “Dear customer” rather than your name. Real Stanley emails would use your proper name.
• Urgency Tactics – Phony offers of free tumblers often pressure urgency to act now before you “lose out.” This helps scammers get people to click before thinking.
• Suspicious Links – Fake survey links may contain misspellings or look nothing like a real Stanley URL. Hover over the link to see the actual destination.
• Overly Enthusiastic – Gushing language about your “eligibility” for a prize you never entered should immediately raise skepticism about the email’s truthfulness.
• Spoofed Email Address – While scammers fake real addresses, there may be inconsistencies. Email the company separately to verify legitimacy if unsure.

Exercising caution with unsolicited prize offers, looking for errors, and vetting links helps avoid falling victim to phishing scams like the Stanley tumbler survey con. When in doubt, delete the email!

What to Do if You Fell for the Stanley Tumbler Scam

If you completed one of these phishing survey scams and supplied your personal details, take these steps immediately to limit the damage:

Monitor Your Credit Card Statements

Carefully review your credit card statements and bank account transactions for any unauthorized or unrecognized activity. Watch for small test charges, monthly recurring fees, or larger one-time purchases you never made.

Report any fraudulent charges to your credit card company and bank right away to dispute those transactions and have the charges reversed.

Change Any Compromised Passwords

If you used the same password for the survey scam that you use on other accounts, update your passwords right away. Give priority to essential accounts like email, financial services, and social media.

Never reuse passwords across multiple accounts. Use strong unique passwords and turn on two-factor authentication when available.

Place Fraud Alerts on Your Credit Reports

Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a 90-day initial fraud alert on your credit file. This requires companies to take extra steps to verify your identity when opening new accounts or lines of credit.

You can also request an extended 7 year fraud alert for additional protection. Routinely check your credit reports moving forward.

Freeze Your Credit Reports

Placing a security freeze restricts access to your credit reports and makes it much harder for identity thieves to open fraudulent accounts. This is the best way to fully block scammers from misusing your personal information obtained via the survey scam.

Beware of Additional Phishing Attempts

Watch out for any other unsolicited emails, texts, calls claiming you have won a prize, qualified for a refund, or need to verify account details. These may be follow-up attempts to steal more data.

File a Complaint with the FTC

Submit a scam report with the Federal Trade Commission so they can use the information in tracking down and prosecuting phishing fraudsters. Provide any details you have on the survey mechanics, emails received, and losses.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Stanley Tumbler Survey Scam

See an email claiming you won a free Stanley tumbler? Wondering if it’s a phishing scam or legitimate prize offer? This FAQ answers common questions on how to identify and avoid this scam targeting Stanley shoppers.

What is the Stanley tumbler survey scam?

This scam sends phishing emails pretending to be from Stanley or retailers like Dick’s and Walmart. The emails state you won a free Stanley tumbler but must take a survey to claim it. However, their real intent is to steal personal and financial information through the survey.

How can I recognize a phishing email for a Stanley tumbler?

Be suspicious of unsolicited emails claiming you won a Stanley tumbler, especially if asking you to take a survey or provide information. Poor grammar, strange links, and urgent pressure to act are red flags of a scam.

What type of questions does the survey ask?

The fake survey requests information like your full name, home address, email, phone number, and credit card details. It claims this data is needed to ship your prize. In reality, it’s used for identity theft.

What are signs my data was compromised?

Carefully check bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions, even small $1-$5 charges. Watch for unknown accounts opened in your name or fraudulent charges.

What steps should I take if I entered information into the survey?

If you provided your details, immediately contact your bank and credit card company to block potential fraud on your accounts. Reset all passwords and place fraud alerts on your credit reports.

How can I avoid the Stanley tumbler scam?

Do not click on links in unsolicited emails about free gifts or prizes. Ignore suspicious offers even if using brand names you know. Check bank statements routinely for fraud and use strong unique passwords.

Are other free gift scams similar?

Yes, scammers impersonate many major brands like Yeti, Hydro Flask, RTIC, and CamelBak with phishing emails offering free tumblers and bottles if you take a survey. These are also fraudulent.

Who should I notify if I receive a suspicious Stanley tumbler email?

Forward phishing scam emails about winning free Stanley merchandise to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This helps them track down and stop fraudsters targeting consumers.

Will I get back money lost from this scam?

If you provided card details used fraudulently, you can dispute the charges. But avoiding the scam by not clicking unverified links or sharing information is the best way to protect yourself.

The Bottom Line

The promise of a free Stanley tumbler may entice some recipients into letting their guard down and providing sensitive information. However, remembering that unsolicited prize offers are almost always bogus can keep you from compromising your data.

Protect yourself by refraining from clicking on links or downloading attachments in random emails. If an offer asks for financial details upfront, that should set off immediate alarm bells. Avoid oversharing any information online or with unverified sources claiming to offer free gifts.

Staying alert about survey scams and identity theft prevention makes you a much less attractive and vulnerable target. Check bank statements routinely, use strong unique passwords, and don’t let the lure of free drinkware leave you with a mug full of regret.