Costco scams
Last updated September 19, 2026
The short answer
Costco scams include fake membership renewal emails, "anniversary promotion" gift card offers, and phishing messages about your Costco account. Costco will never email you asking to click a link to renew your membership or claim a free reward. Always manage your membership at costco.com.
Costco's loyal customer base and membership model make it an attractive brand for scammers to impersonate. Fake membership renewal emails, anniversary reward scams, and phishing messages exploit the trust Costco members have in the brand. These scams often circulate through email, social media, and even text messages.
How Costco scams work
- 1
Fake membership renewal email
An email claims your Costco membership is expiring and you need to click a link to renew. The link goes to a fake Costco login page that captures your credentials and payment information.
- 2
"Costco Anniversary" reward scam
A social media post or email says Costco is celebrating its anniversary by giving away $75 coupons or free products to anyone who clicks a link and completes a survey. The survey harvests personal information and signs you up for unwanted subscriptions.
- 3
Fake Costco executive membership upgrade
An email or call offers a special deal to upgrade your Costco membership to Executive for a reduced price. The scammer collects your credit card information for the "discounted upgrade."
- 4
Costco "special offer" text
A text claims Costco is offering a limited-time deal or free product bundle. The link leads to a phishing site that mimics costco.com and asks for personal and payment information.
Warning signs
- An email asks you to click a link to renew your Costco membership
- A social media post or email offers free Costco gift cards or products for a survey
- You're offered a Costco membership upgrade at an unusually low price via email or phone
- The sender email doesn't end in @costco.com
- A text message includes a link claiming to be from Costco
- The offer creates extreme urgency, like "expires in 24 hours" or "limited supply"
Examples
"Costco 40th Anniversary" social media scam
A Facebook post says Costco is giving away free products and $75 coupons to celebrate its anniversary. You click the link, complete a survey, and share the post to "qualify." You're then asked for your credit card for "shipping." You're charged recurring fees and never receive anything.
Fake membership renewal phishing
An email from "Costco Member Services" says your membership expires tomorrow and includes a "Renew Now" button. The button leads to a fake Costco site that captures your login credentials, credit card number, and billing address.
What to do
- Renew your Costco membership only at costco.com, the Costco app, or in person at the warehouse.
- Don't click links in Costco-related emails or texts. Go to costco.com directly.
- Be skeptical of Costco giveaways shared on social media. Check costco.com for legitimate promotions.
- If you entered credentials on a fake Costco site, change your password immediately.
- Report suspicious Costco communications to Costco customer service and the FTC.
Report it to Costco
Costco publishes no reporting inbox and asks you to report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Memberships renew in warehouse or at costco.com, never by a link in a text.
Getting your money back
If you entered payment information on a fake Costco site, contact your credit card company immediately to report the card compromised. Change your Costco.com password from a trusted device. If you were signed up for unwanted subscriptions, dispute the charges with your bank and contact the subscription companies to cancel.
Frequently asked questions
Does Costco give away free items on social media?
No. Costco does not run giveaways through social media posts asking you to click links, complete surveys, or share posts. Legitimate Costco promotions are listed at costco.com and communicated through official Costco channels.
How do I renew my Costco membership safely?
Renew at costco.com, through the Costco app, by calling 1-800-774-2678, or at the membership desk in any Costco warehouse. Never click a link in an email or text to renew. Go to costco.com directly.
Can I get scammed through the Costco website?
The real costco.com is secure. Scams use fake sites that look similar but have different URLs. Always verify you're on costco.com (check for the padlock icon and correct URL) before entering any information.
Other companies scammers impersonate
Scams reuse their scripts across brands. If you were contacted about Costco, these are the guides worth reading next.