⚠️ Did you receive an email inviting you to claim a free REI Yeti Tumbler through a special loyalty program?
Question: Is this offer legitimate?
Investigation Findings: This offer is a scam. The email typically includes:
Hurry up. The number of prizes to be won is limited! Confirm Now! REI Yeti Tumbler
Congratulations! You have been chosen to participate in our Loyalty Program for FREE! CONFIRM NOW!
Here are the key signs of the scam: unauthorized use of REI and Yeti brand names, pressing language to create a sense of urgency, links leading through a chain of suspicious websites, final page requests extensive personal and payment details under the guise of a small shipping fee, the customer support contact details are bogus, and associated domains have been registered recently with hidden owner details.
Answer: The offer claiming you can receive a free REI Yeti Tumbler through a loyalty program is fraudulent. Neither REI nor Yeti has any connection with this promotion. For reliable offers, always refer directly to the official REI or Yeti websites or their legitimate customer service contacts. Do not follow links or provide personal details through unsolicited emails.
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🚨 Is the REI Yeti Tumbler Email a Scam?
Yes, the email offering a free REI Yeti Tumbler through a loyalty program is a scam. 🚫 If you’ve received an email claiming you’ve been selected to receive a free Yeti Tumbler from REI, and urging you to click a link, proceed with extreme caution. These claims are false and designed to exploit your excitement and urgency to trick you into entering personal and payment information on a phishing site.
Background on the REI Yeti Tumbler Scam:
This type of scam, commonly known as “phishing”, involves criminals posing as well-known brands such as REI and Yeti. The scammers send emails offering high-value items like Yeti Tumblers for free as part of a loyalty program, directing victims to fraudulent websites through the links provided in the emails.
However, REI and Yeti have confirmed they do not offer free products through unsolicited emails. Official promotions from these companies will direct users to their respective authorized websites and not through any unsolicited links sent via email.
The concerning rise of these scams has led various government and consumer protection organizations, including the FTC and the Better Business Bureau, to issue alerts. These scams have affected numerous consumers, employing similar methods to deceive individuals with offers too good to be true.
The deceptive emails typically claim you’ve been selected for a “special offer” and direct victims to a phishing website that resembles an official retail offer, but its real purpose is to steal personal and financial information.
🚩 Red Flags to Watch Out For:
Be vigilant and question the authenticity of such emails if you encounter these warning signs. 🔍🛡️
- 📧 Unsolicited Offers: Emails that come out of nowhere, claiming you’ve been chosen for a free gift, especially from a source that mimics but doesn’t exactly match reputable brand communication.
- 🔗 Links to Unknown Websites: The scam email includes links that lead to websites other than the official REI or Yeti sites, such as the fraudulent domains mentioned.
- ⏳ Urgency and Deadlines: The email imposes a tight deadline to coerce you into acting hastily out of fear of missing out, pushing you to claim the offer immediately.
- 💳 Requests for Personal and Financial Information: Be skeptical of any demands to enter sensitive information on a website linked from an email, as legitimate companies handle such matters through secure, official channels.
- 👤 Anonymity of the Sender: Scammers often use email addresses that don’t clearly relate to the brand they pretend to represent, making it difficult to verify their authenticity.
- 🔄 No Proof of Legitimate Offer: Legitimate promotions would be accompanied by official documentation or clear verification paths directly from the brands’ own platforms, not just an email.
🕵️♂️ How the REI Yeti Tumbler Giveaway Scam works
The REI Yeti Tumbler Giveaway scam is a phishing scheme designed to steal your personal and financial information by convincing you that you have been chosen for a free gift. Being aware of how this scam operates is crucial for your safety. 💡🔐
🚨 Playing on Your Desires
This scam starts with a fake email telling you about a free Yeti Tumbler you supposedly have won as part of a loyalty program. It plays on your excitement and the allure of a free, high-quality product, leading you to follow their instructions without doubting them.
🔗 Fake Claims of Loyalty Rewards
The scam email includes a link to a fake website that mimics a legitimate loyalty reward program. This site is set up to look trustworthy to trick you into giving away your information.
🎭 Made-up Offers and Pressure
When you visit the fake site, you’ll see an offer that seems too good to refuse, usually requiring only a small payment for shipping to receive the Yeti Tumbler. They push you to complete the transaction quickly, often including a countdown timer to create urgency.
📥 Asking for Your Payment Information
The site requests your credit card information to “cover” the shipping costs. This tactic is a straightforward way to access your money and personal details.
🔄 False Sense of Urgency
The scammers create a fake emergency by setting a timer, making you think you need to act quickly to claim the offer. They pretend to offer a limited-time deal to avoid giving you time to think or verify the legitimacy.
🕳️ Threats and Tricks
The scam involves deceiving you into believing you’re securing a legitimate offer by entering your payment details. They might also hint at limited availability if you delay, using excitement and the fear of missing out to coerce you into acting quickly.
By understanding these tactics, you can protect yourself from this and similar scams. Always verify promotional claims through official channels and never share personal or financial information on suspicious websites.
Steps to Take if You Receive a REI Yeti Tumbler Giveaway Scam Email
Receiving a scam email offering a free REI Yeti Tumbler can be tempting. However, there are effective measures you can take to protect yourself.
Action Guide Against REI Yeti Tumbler Giveaway Scam Emails:
Firstly, keep calm. The scam email aims to pressure you into acting quickly by claiming limited availability or time-sensitive offers. Recognize it as a typical scam tactic.
Do not send any money. Providing a payment for “shipping” or any other fee won’t secure the promised item but will put you at risk of financial loss and encourage the scammer to target you further.
Don’t respond. Replying to the scammer can reveal more about you and confirm that your email is active, which may lead to receiving more fraudulent messages.
If the scam email includes specific claims, like being part of an official loyalty program, verify its authenticity. Contact REI or Yeti directly through their official websites to check if such an offer actually exists.
Next, update your security settings. Strengthen your email and online accounts with strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible for enhanced security.
Check your device for security breaches. Use trusted antivirus software to ensure your computer or smartphone hasn’t been compromised by malware due to interacting with suspicious links.
Report the scam email. Notify organizations such as the FTC or your local cybercrime unit. Reporting helps authorities track and mitigate such scams.
Lastly, inform your circle. Educating friends, family, and colleagues about this scam increases awareness and reduces the likelihood that others will fall victim to similar tactics.
📌 How to Report REI Yeti Tumbler Giveaway Scam Emails
If you receive an email claiming you’ve won a free REI Yeti Tumbler through a loyalty program, it’s likely a scam. Reporting it can help you stay safe and protect others. Here’s how to report these scam emails:
🔍 Spot the Scam Email
Identify the email that appears to be a scam.
👉 Use Your Email Service to Report
Your email service allows you to report an email as phishing or scam. Select the scam email and use the report option.
🚩 Pick the Report Option
Choose the appropriate option to report the email. This could be “Report Phishing” or “Report Spam”.
📱 Tell Your Email Provider
Forward the scam email to a specific email address provided by your email service for reporting scams, often phishing-report@[your-service-provider].
🔗 Tell the Authorities
Some jurisdictions allow you to report scam emails to government or consumer protection agencies. Check online to find out where you can report in your area.
🛡️ Reach Out to the Misused Brands
Get in touch with the companies whose names have been falsely used, such as REI and Yeti. Use the official contact information on their genuine websites to let them know about the scam. This assists them in alerting other customers and potentially pursuing legal action against the fraudsters.
🛡️ What to Do Next
If you clicked on any links in the scam email, monitor your accounts for unusual activity. Consider changing your passwords and alerting your financial institutions about the potential scam.
✔️ Finish Reporting
Ensure you complete all the steps recommended by your email provider, mobile company, or local authorities to fully report the scam.
Threat Summary
| Name | REI Yeti Tumbler Giveaway Scam |
| Type | Phishing, Subscription Scam, Giveaway Scam |
| Email Content | “Congratulations! You have been chosen to participate in our Loyalty Program for FREE! Special Offer: Today’s Offer YETI Rambler 20-oz. Tumbler with MagSlider Lid. PAY ONLY $5.99 for shipping. Offer expires soon!” |
| Fake Fee | Small initial fee, high unauthorized recurring charges |
| Targeted Information | First name, last name, email address, phone number, physical address, city, zip code, credit card details |
| Harm | Financial losses, unauthorized recurring charges, risk of identity theft |
| How It Spreads | Emails claiming you have been selected for a free product as part of a loyalty program |
| Scammer’s Methods | Using well-known brand names (REI, Yeti) to appear legitimate, creating urgency with countdown timers, hiding behind multiple redirect URLs |
| Variations | Various phishing website URLs, different products offered |
| Protection Tips | Do not click links in unexpected emails; verify offers directly through official brand websites; use strong, unique passwords; enable two-factor authentication for online accounts; educate yourself about signs of phishing and subscription scams |
| What To Do If You Receive A Scam Email | Do not follow any links; verify any claims through the official websites of the brands mentioned; report the scam to your email provider; keep an eye on bank statements and credit reports |
| Reporting Info | Report the email to your email provider; inform consumer protection agencies; share information about the scam to warn others |
| Scam websites | katamorning.com, cinemasofa.online and radicalsmartsavings.com |
| Whois | Domain Name: RADICALSMARTSAVINGS.COM Registrant Information none [HIDDEN or REMOVED] Registration Dates Creation Date: 2024-06-18 Registry Expiry Date: 2025-06-18 Technical Information Name Server: LINDSEY.NS.CLOUDFLARE.COM Registrar Details Registrar: NameCheap, Inc. |
😱 What to Do If You Clicked on a Scam Link
If you accidentally interacted with a website from the REI Yeti Tumbler giveaway scam, it’s crucial not to panic. Follow these steps to safeguard your personal and financial information effectively.
🔐 Immediate Password Change
Immediately change the passwords for any accounts that you fear may be compromised. This includes your financial accounts, email, and any other sensitive accounts, especially if you have used similar passwords.
💳 If You Entered Payment Information
If you provided credit card details and were charged, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charges and to potentially block further unauthorized transactions. Consider requesting a new card to prevent additional fraudulent charges.
👀 Monitor Financial and Credit Reports
Closely monitor your bank accounts and credit reports for any unusual activities. Scammers might use your personal information to commit identity theft or unauthorized transactions.
🔒 Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Activate two-factor authentication for your sensitive accounts. This adds an extra layer of security, safeguarding your accounts even if scammers have obtained some of your credentials.
🚫🔗 Inform Your Contacts
Warn your friends, family, and network about the scam. Advise them to be cautious of similar emails and not to trust unsolicited communications, especially those that use the names of reputable brands like REI and Yeti.
📝 Document the Scam
Record evidence of the scam, such as screenshots of the email and any interactions you had. This documentation can be useful if you need to report the incident or for future reference in case of any disputes or investigations.
👮♀️ Report to Cybersecurity Authorities
Consider reporting the incident to local cybersecurity or law enforcement authorities. While online scams are common, reporting them can contribute to broader efforts to combat such malicious activities.
📘 Stay Informed and Educated
Regularly update yourself on the latest online scams. Staying informed helps you recognize and avoid falling victim to similar tactics in the future.
🎯 Conclusion
The REI Yeti Tumbler Giveaway is a phishing scam. The fraudsters behind this scam try to lure you in with the promise of a free Yeti Tumbler through a so-called REI loyalty program. What is their goal? To trick you into clicking on links that lead to fake websites designed to steal your personal and financial information. Participating in this scam can result in unauthorized charges, potential identity theft, and the ongoing risk of further scams.
It’s important to recognize that legitimate promotions from companies like REI or Yeti will not require you to provide sensitive information through insecure channels or pay shipping fees for free items. If you receive an unexpected offer, it’s essential to verify its authenticity by contacting the company directly through their official website or customer service.
Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails, and inform your friends and family about these scams. Regularly updating your passwords and enabling additional security measures like two-factor authentication can significantly enhance your online security. 🛡️
