A new scam promotion claiming to offer popular Stanley brand tumblers for only $5.99 has been infiltrating social media through sponsored ads and posts. Scammers are luring in victims with seemingly incredible clearance deals on the Stanley 40oz Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler. However, this is a complete sham designed to steal money and personal information. This article will uncover how this deceitful operation works.
Overview of the $5.99 Stanley Tumbler Scam
This scam network runs sponsored ads on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok promoting the Stanley Quencher tumbler for $5.99, claiming it’s a limited inventory factory clearance sale of leftover stock. For example, an ad may state:
“Stanley Factory Outlet Store – Now clearing factory’s backlog through online promotions. 😔Last batch of Stanley 40oz Stainless Steel H2.0 FlowState Quencher Tumbler clearance, up to 90% off. 💝Water glasses for any scene. CARINGEI.ONLINE – TODAY ONLY $5.99 – Buy two get one free, buy three get two free, the color of the gift is random”
In reality, this is a complete sham. The ads link to fake ecommerce websites that are designed to steal money, identities and payment information. After submitting orders, customers receive nothing while their accounts are drained and personal data is stolen.
This scam network operates dozens of fraudulent sites to rip people off. They quickly build and swap fake domains, product pages and inventory to stay under the radar. Their sites may have names like “caringei.online” or “stanley-outlet.store”.
This article will delve into the deceptive tactics used at each step of the scam process, so you can avoid being exploited by these criminals.
How the $5.99 Stanley Tumbler Scam Works
Here is an in-depth look at how this scam ensnares victims step-by-step:
Step 1: Fake Social Media Ads
The scam starts with sponsored ads across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and more promoting the unrealistic low price and limited availability of the Stanley tumbler.
These ads are designed to look like legitimate promotions from an actual factory outlet store. Using slogans like “Today Only” and “Buy 2 Get 1 Free”, they create urgency to entice people into engaging without scrutiny.
Step 2: Landing on the Scam Website
When users click the link in the social media ads, they are taken to elaborate scam sites made to closely mimic real brand outlet stores. The site has sections for “Clearance” items and details for the Stanley tumbler deal.
Everything from web templates to product photos is stolen to make the website look authentic. Reviews, Q&As and descriptions help build trust so visitors believe the deal is real.
Step 3: Submitting Order and Payment
To capture payment details, the website has a checkout process where shoppers enter their name, shipping address, contact info and credit card number. Victims believe they are buying an incredible bargain.
In reality, these sites have no actual inventory or ability to fulfill orders. The scammers’ only goal is collecting sensitive personal and financial information.
Step 4: Disappearance After Order Placement
Once a victim completes checkout, the scam website typically ghosts them. No order confirmation or tracking number is sent. Emails bounce back and passwords stop working.
The fake site often gets taken down shortly after collecting data, before actual customers can make complaints or leave reviews about non-delivery.
Step 5: No Products Ever Ship Out
Weeks and months go by without any Stanley tumblers arriving for people who submitted orders. The majority of victims receive absolutely nothing.
In rare instances, cheap knockoffs or random used items may eventually show up instead of the expected Stanley bottles. This helps scammers prolong the scam.
Step 6: Financial and Identity Theft
While victims wait endlessly for their $5.99 tumblers, scammers put their stolen payment card details to nefarious use. Fraudulent purchases may start appearing, bank accounts can get drained, and credit scores damaged.
Social security numbers, birthdates, addresses and other personal info is also sold on the dark web or used to open fake accounts. The impact of identity theft can be severe and long-lasting.
Uncovering Red Flags of the $5.99 Tumbler Scam
Upon closer inspection, this supposed clearance sale has many red flags consumers should watch out for:
- Unreasonably low price– $5.99 represents over a 90% discount on a popular $35 Stanley tumbler, which is never legitimate.
- High pressure tactics– Countdown timers, limited quantities and urgent language pressure customers to purchase without thinking.
- Anonymous website registration– Scam sites like “caringei.online” are recently registered anonymously and untraceable.
- No company info– The “About Us” sections remain vague about who owns or operates these outlets.
- Shady payment processing– Unsecure payment portals and an array of cards accepted indicate inability to actually process sales.
- Grammatical errors– Poor English and typos throughout these scam sites signal they are not professional companies.
- No seller reviews– Unlike legitimate sellers, scam outlets have absolutely no independent customer reviews available online.
- Lack of contact info– No phone number, address or support options are provided to avoid accountability.
Any combination of these red flags is a clear indicator consumers should avoid engaging with or providing payment information to suspicious sellers promoting deals online.
How to Spot This Scam on Social Media
This scam relies heavily on sponsored ads and posts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Here are tips to recognize the scam content on each:
Watch for Facebook ads and posts with:
- Unrealistic discounts like “Stanley Tumbler Sale – Now Only $5.99!”
- Suspicious links or tags for unknown pages and websites
- High pressure tactics like “Today Only!” or “Almost Sold Out!”
- Comments and reactions disabled to hide negative feedback
- New pages with generic names and stock profile images
- Pages created recently with low follower counts
- Multiple ads running simultaneously from one page
Look for Instagram posts promoting:
- The same photos reposted hundreds of times across accounts
- Prices on major brands that are clearly too good to be true
- Hundreds of irrelevant tags like #sale #discount #clearance
- Accounts with no relevant history beyond the ads
- Comment sections flooded with bots and spam
- Links in bios sending to unrelated scam websites
TikTok
Watch for TikTok videos with:
- Stock videos and images not showing actual products
- “Limited time” offers to pressure viewers
- Links in captions sending to sketchy sites
- Comments turned off to hide negative reactions
- Bot followers and views purchased to seem legitimate
- No signs of credibility beyond the ads
Always verify unfamiliar sellers and deals promoted on social channels before engaging. Check website registrations, company reviews and return policies before providing payment information. If something seems suspicious, avoid the ads completely.
What to Do If You Are a Victim
If you unfortunately fell prey to the $5.99 Stanley tumbler clearance scam, here are important next steps:
- Contact your credit card provider and bank– Report the charges as fraudulent and monitor statements closely for further suspicious charges.
- Check credit reports– Look for accounts opened fraudulently using your identity and consider freezing credit reports to prevent access.
- Change account passwords– Update passwords on financial, email and other online accounts. Enable two-factor authentication for added security when possible.
- File police reports– File reports with the FTC, FBI and your local police department to document identity theft. This helps with recovery efforts.
- Warn contacts– Let your friends and followers know about this scam so they can avoid it. Report the social media ads and accounts spreading them.
- Leave reviews– Post reviews about the scam experience on consumer sites like Trustpilot to prevent others from falling victim.
Frequently Asked Questions About the $5.99 Stanley Tumbler Scam
This widespread scam has many consumers confused and seeking answers. Here are responses to some of the top FAQs about this fraudulent operation:
What exactly is this $5.99 Stanley tumbler scam I keep seeing ads for?
This is a scam network running online ads promoting Stanley brand tumblers for only $5.99, claiming it’s a limited clearance deal. But the ads link to fake sites just stealing money and information.
How does the $5.99 Stanley tumbler scam work to rip people off?
Scammers first use social media ads to direct people to convincing fake store sites. Victims enter payment and personal details to “order” the deal. But no products ship, and identities/money are stolen.
What are some example names used for the scam Stanley tumbler websites?
Some known fraudulent site names are caringei.online, stanley-outlet.store, and brandclearshop.com. Scammers quickly change sites often.
Why is a $5.99 price on a Stanley tumbler an obvious scam?
Stanley tumblers normally cost $30+. A 95% discount to under $6 is unrealistic and a clear sign of a scam promising unbelievable deals.
What typically happens when someone buys from the $5.99 Stanley tumbler scam sites?
Most customers receive nothing after being scammed. Their money is gone, details stolen, and no Stanley products arrive in the mail.
What should I do if I come across an ad for the $5.99 Stanley tumbler deal?
You should avoid engaging with the ads completely. Report them as fraudulent to social networks. Search the website name for scam warnings.
How can I avoid falling victim to the Stanley tumbler scam?
Research sellers heavily before purchasing, especially if discounts seem unrealistic. Pay only via credit card for buyer protection. Monitor bank accounts closely for any unauthorized charges.
What steps should I take if I was already scammed on the $5.99 tumbler deal?
Immediately contact your bank and credit card company to report fraudulent charges. Check credit reports for suspicious activity and freeze access to prevent identity theft damages.
How can shoppers help stop the $5.99 Stanley tumbler scam for good?
Reporting fake ads and sites to authorities disrupts operations. Spreading awareness of the scam tactics helps take away power from these criminal networks.
The Bottom Line
The supposed $5.99 clearance sale for Stanley tumblers being promoted on social platforms is completely fraudulent. No major brand sells quality steel bottles for under $10, let alone $6.
Avoid sponsored ads and posts promising prices that seem too good to be true. Only make purchases through reputable sellers with transparent business practices and proven customer service. Take caution to protect your money and identity when shopping online.
