Scammers frequently impersonate Costco because it's a brand people already trust and interact with regularly. These scams typically arrive by text, email, or phone call and try to create urgency so you act before thinking it through.
How the Costco scam works
A message claiming to be from Costco arrives, often warning of an urgent issue with your account, an order, or a payment. It asks you to click a link or call a number to "resolve" the problem. The link leads to a convincing fake page designed to get you to enter your card details or membership information on a fake renewal or prize page.
Red flags to watch for
Urgency and pressure to act immediately, requests for payment via gift cards or wire transfer, links that don't match the real Costco domain, poor grammar or generic greetings, and requests for sensitive information Costco would never ask for over text or email.
What to do if you're targeted
Don't click any links or call any numbers in the suspicious message. Instead, go directly to Costco's official site or app to check your account status. If you're unsure whether a communication is genuine, contact Costco through a verified channel found independently — not through anything in the message itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a message claiming to be from Costco is real?
Costco does not typically text or email you claiming your membership is expiring or you've won a free membership renewal. Genuine communications rarely create urgency to act within minutes. If in doubt, contact Costco directly through their official website or app — never a number or link provided in the suspicious message.
What is this Costco scam trying to get from me?
Scammers impersonating Costco typically try to get you to enter your card details or membership information on a fake renewal or prize page. Once obtained, this information is used for identity theft, financial fraud, or to access other accounts.
What should I do if I already responded to a fake Costco message?
Do not provide any further information. If you shared personal or financial details, contact Costco directly through official channels to verify and secure your account, and monitor your bank and credit accounts for unusual activity.
What should I do if I already lost money to a Costco scam?
Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to attempt to reverse the transaction, file a report with your national anti-fraud body, and keep records of all communications with the scammer as evidence.
How do I report a fake Costco message?
Forward suspicious texts to your mobile carrier's spam reporting number (7726 in many countries), and report the incident directly to Costco and to your country's consumer protection or anti-fraud agency.