Hall of Shame

It’s not free if they need your card.

Offers that looked free until we read the rules. Each entry lists the claim, the catch and what the official page said the day we checked. We go after the tactic, never the people who almost fell for it.

Want the opposite of this page? Everything that costs you nothing at all.

These people want your card.

No. 1 · Checked Sept 27, 2026

2026 25K Giveaway (fatwin)

The claim: A free-to-enter sweepstakes or giveaway.
The catch: Collects contact data at events.
The evidence: What we read on the official rules page on Sept 27, 2026: cdn.fatwin.com (archived copy). That’s the whole finding, and we’re not adding to it.
Do this instead: Freebies that cost you nothing at all · Giveaways that passed our check

No. 2 · Checked Sept 27, 2026

Drawn Hungry giveaway

The claim: A free-to-enter sweepstakes or giveaway.
The catch: Entry requires an in-store QR code.
The evidence: What we read on the official rules page on Sept 27, 2026: www.drawnhungry.com (archived copy). That’s the whole finding, and we’re not adding to it.
Do this instead: Freebies that cost you nothing at all · Giveaways that passed our check

No. 3 · Checked Sept 27, 2026

Timberland PRO $10,000 Sweepstakes

The claim: A free-to-enter sweepstakes or giveaway.
The catch: Survey sweepstakes: main entry is a customer survey after buying product.
The evidence: What we read on the official rules page on Sept 27, 2026: timberlandprosurveyrules.com (archived copy). That’s the whole finding, and we’re not adding to it.
Do this instead: Freebies that cost you nothing at all · Giveaways that passed our check

No. 4 · Checked Sept 27, 2026

QUBER Save to Win

The claim: A free-to-enter sweepstakes or giveaway.
The catch: Financial app promo: ballots come from growing a QUBER bank account (lead-gen).
The evidence: What we read on the official rules page on Sept 27, 2026: www.qubersavings.com (archived copy). That’s the whole finding, and we’re not adding to it.
Do this instead: Freebies that cost you nothing at all · Giveaways that passed our check

Checked & cut

Not shameful, just not free or not verifiable

No bad guys here. These ended, moved, cost money or couldn’t be confirmed on an official page. They stay off the site until that changes.

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)Program ended.
IRS Direct FileDiscontinued; not available for 2026 filing season; official page returns 404.
Federal free COVID-19 tests (COVIDtests.gov)Program not active; site redirects to an unrelated White House page.
Treasury Hunt savings bond searchTool retired Sept 30, 2025 per TreasuryDirect.
Generic drugs end-payer settlementRequires proof of purchase per consumer claim form (deadline Nov 9, 2026).
Depend US free samplesDepend US says it is not offering samples at the moment.
Walmart baby registry welcome boxCould not verify; bot block page.
Babylist Hello Baby BoxOfficial page returned 404.
MySimilac RewardsSignup page returned 404; could not confirm current terms.
Home Depot Kids WorkshopsOfficial page returned an error; only deal blogs confirmed dates.
Regal Crown Club birthday popcornBirthday perk appears tied to paid Regal Unlimited.
Sephora Beauty Insider birthday giftBirthday page blocked; could not verify.
REI Co-op member perksPerks are free but membership has a fee.
Adobe Creative Cloud trialPage shows a 14-day refund window on paid plans, not a free trial.
ECHO Product Review SweepstakesRequires writing a product review.
Parks Canada Canada Strong free admissionEnded Sept 7, 2026.
Every Kid Outdoors siteSite returned 503 at check time; 4th Grade Pass kept via NPS page.
IP Captioned Telephone ServiceCould not confirm no-cost details on page.
ConvaTec & Hollister ostomy samplesPages blocked or errored; could not verify.
Alabama ADPH free radon test kitsFree kits currently unavailable due to demand; ADPH says it will reactivate later.
2026 Win A Chevy SweepstakesNot national: open only to select counties in 16 states.
ecobee Pro PIN for the WinRules say not open to the general public (for pros only).
Zephyrian giveawayPurchases earn entries; free online entry also allowed.
Mondelez Miami Dream SweepstakesNot national: Florida residents only.
TJX Lucky 25 Monthly Member SweepsBuilt around TJX Rewards credit card purchases; free entry is mail-in only.
Chevrolet Contest CanadaDuplicate of the GM Canada 2026 contest already listed.
CrunchLabs Creative Kit Platinum Ticket SweepstakesEntries are tied to each subscription box received (purchase driven).
Walmart Customer Satisfaction SweepstakesSurvey sweepstakes.
True Value Broil King Grill Sweepstakes Fall 2026Entry only in person at True Value activations in Green Bay and Notre Dame; not national online.
Mobil 1 O’Reilly Race to Win SweepstakesPurchase-driven (5 quarts for bonus entries) and drawings only happen if a 23XI car wins a race; skipped.