Scammed? what to do

Report to Costco

Last updated September 18, 2026

The short answer

Check Costco's known-scams list, and where to report when it is not Costco

Costco publishes a list of the scams currently using its name, which is the fastest way to check a message you have just received. It does not run a phishing intake address, so anything you have lost goes to the FTC and your bank.

What they handle

  • Fake Costco membership and subscription renewal emails
  • Fake Costco job offers, often subject-lined "Provisional Job Offer"
  • Gift card and travel package offers claiming to be Costco
  • PayPal requests for a Costco.com order

How to file a report

  1. 1

    Check the known scams page first

    Costco keeps a Currently Known Scams article listing the campaigns using its name right now. If yours is on it, you have your answer in seconds.

  2. 2

    Do not click or reply

    Costco's instruction is not to visit links in these messages and not to give the sender any personal information. It also says never to provide personal information by email.

  3. 3

    Remember Costco does not take PayPal

    Costco has investigated phishing emails that appear to come from PayPal about a Costco.com flower order. Costco does not accept PayPal, so a PayPal request for a Costco order is fake by definition.

  4. 4

    Report it to the FTC

    Costco points members to the US Federal Trade Commission for scams and suspicious calls, emails and texts.

What you'll need

  • The message and the address it came from
  • Your membership number, if the message quotes one
  • The amount and payment method, if you paid

What to expect

Costco has no phishing mailbox and will not reply about a message you forward. The useful actions are checking the known scams list and calling your bank if money moved.

Go to Costco: Currently known scams

Frequently asked questions

I got a Costco job offer by email. Is that how they hire?

No. Costco has flagged fake job offer emails using its name, including ones subject-lined "Provisional Job Offer". Apply through Costco's own careers site or not at all.

Company guide

Costco scams

Knowing which scam you were hit by makes the report better. This is how scams impersonating Costco actually work, what the company will never ask you for, and the warning signs to recognise next time.

Read the guide →