Various posts on social media claims you can get a Yeti Backpack (YETI Hopper M20) for just $11. Allegedly, Dick’s Sporting Goods in partnership with Yeti is offering this promo if you answer few questions on a website. Are these posts real or fake? Is the Dicks Yeti Backpack promo legit or a scam? Here’s what you should know;
Is Dick’s Yeti Backpack Promo Legit?
Though DICKS and YETI are legit companies, the yeti backpack giveaway are scams from fraudsters aiming to steal personal and financial information. The posts claim Dісk’s is ending its contract with Yеtі, so they need to clear out the remaining stock before month end. In some cases, the fake post claims there’s a loophole at Dick’s where you can get a backpack just by leaving a review.
It’s designed to look like an exclusive offer or an exciting giveaway, with dozens or even hundreds of comments from supposed winners claiming they received their Yeti backpacks. However, when you dig deeper, you’ll find numerous red flags indicating that the giveaway is actually a scam.
How Does The Dicks Yeti Backpack Scam Work?
It is a sneaky tactic to charge your credit card or enroll you in unwanted services. The scam typically claims that all you need to do is pay a small fee—often around $11 or $5—to receive your Yeti backpack. However, after you provide your credit card details, you’ll be hit with an unexpected and much larger charge, sometimes as high as $74 or more.
But that’s not all. These scammers often add you to a recurring monthly subscription that you didn’t sign up for. The fine print on the checkout page may hide the fact that by submitting your payment details, you’re agreeing to be charged regularly for an online magazine subscription, exclusive content, or another service you didn’t ask for. In addition to financial loss, this could lead to the automatic renewal of charges for services you never wanted in the first place.
Moreover, there’s a strong possibility that the fake website hosting the giveaway contains malware or spyware. By entering your payment information, you may unknowingly download malicious software that can infect your devices. These programs can steal sensitive data, lock your files, or even extort money from you by holding your information ransom. This can be a costly and frustrating experience.
Why You Shouldn’t Believe The Giveaway Post
Posted by Suspicious Social Media Accounts
The fake Dick’s Yeti Backpack giveaway is posted by Facebook pages that are newly created accounts with very little activity. In many cases, these accounts have a generic profile picture, no posts, or minimal followers.
One of the fake profiles claimed ”After 8 years working there, they fired me this week due to health issues, and now I want to share something they didn’t encourage us to talk about. Few people know this, but at dicks there’s a loophole where you can get a backpack just by leaving a review. I’ve left a special link below. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions. They’ll ask for some basic info, and as a thank you, you’ll get a backpack valued at $11.42. It’s that easy, and I wish I’d known about it earlier instead of keeping it to myself”
Another dubious account posted ”Don’t buy the YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler until you read this!! Hey everyone! My sister works at Dick’s, and she told me that their company is running a spring promotion in partnership with YETI to celebrate their official collaboration. As part of this event, anyone can purchase a YETI Hopper M20 backpack cooler for a special price of just $14.95! All you need to do is visit the website and answer a few simple questions. I’ll leave the link in the comments“
All these are tactics to make people lower their guards and visit the suspicious website linked to the giveaway post.
The Giveaway Posts Links to Suspicious Websites
If you click on the giveaway link, it redirects you to a website that is not the legitimate DICK’S Sporting Goods site (dickssportinggoods.com). While these fake websites may look somewhat professional, they are often designed to capture your personal information and steal your credit card details. If the website URL is different from the official DICK’S website and lacks proper security features (such as “https” or a secure payment gateway), it is likely a scam. Always check the website’s URL before entering any personal information.
What to Do If You’ve Fallen for the Scam
If you’ve already provided your credit card details on one of these fake giveaway websites, don’t panic—there are steps you can take to minimize the damage and protect yourself:
- Contact Your Credit Card Issuer
Immediately reach out to your credit card provider to report the fraudulent transaction. Inform them of what happened, and ask them to cancel the transaction. If possible, request a chargeback or refund. - Cancel Your Credit Card and Request a Replacement
To prevent further charges, request that your credit card be canceled and a new one be issued. This will prevent scammers from continuing to charge you for any unwanted subscriptions or services. - Run a Malware Scan on Your Devices
Since the scam website may have infected your device with malware or spyware, it’s crucial to run a comprehensive malware scan. Use reputable antivirus software to check your computer, phone, or tablet for malicious programs, and remove any threats that are detected. - Change Your Passwords and Enable Two-Factor Authentication
If you’ve used your credit card details on the scam website, update the passwords for your online accounts, especially banking, shopping, and email accounts. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible for added security.
Tips for Spotting Fake Giveaways and Scams on Social Media
As giveaway scams continue to proliferate on social media platforms, it’s important to know how to spot them and avoid falling for them. Here are some tips to help you recognize fake giveaways:
- Verify the Source: Always check if the giveaway is being promoted on the official social media channels of the company. If the post is from a random page or an unverified account, it’s likely a scam.
- Look for Signs of Fake Fees: Legitimate giveaways never require you to pay upfront for anything. If you’re asked to pay for shipping, handling, or any other fees, it’s almost certainly a scam.
- Watch for Grammar Mistakes and Poor Language: Although it’s common for minor errors to slip through in promotional posts, excessive spelling and grammar mistakes should raise a red flag. Professional companies take care to ensure their communications are polished and accurate.
- Research the Giveaway: If you’re unsure whether a giveaway is real, do a quick search online. Look for reviews or news articles about the promotion. You can also search for warning posts from people who may have already fallen victim to the scam.
- Be Skeptical of Unbelievable Offers: If the prize is something valuable like a Yeti backpack, Apple product, or luxury item, and the terms seem too easy, it’s worth double-checking the offer. Scammers often lure people in with “too good to be true” deals.
Recent Social Media Giveaway Scams
In recent months, scammers have upped their game, with several large-scale giveaway scams circulating across social media. For example, fake giveaways offering luxury items like high-end electronics, expensive vacations, or limited-edition products have become increasingly common. The scammers often impersonate well-known retailers or influencers, using fake accounts and websites to trick people into entering their personal information.
One notable scam involved a supposed “exclusive Mother’s Day promotion” where scammers claimed to be giving away free designer handbags. The posts, which appeared on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, featured convincing images of the handbags and had several fake comments from people claiming to have already received theirs. Similar scams have also targeted consumers with offers for Apple iPhones, smartwatches, and even home appliances.
Given the growing prevalence of these scams, it’s more important than ever to be cautious when you see a giveaway that seems too good to be true. Always take the time to verify the legitimacy of any promotion before entering your personal information.
By staying vigilant and aware of the warning signs, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these deceptive giveaway scams. Remember: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Nora