Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Costco Survey Scam - Protect Yourself

The Costco survey scam is a phishing attempt where scammers impersonate Costco via email, text, or pop-up ads, promising free items (e.g., Ninja Creami, Yeti cooler) for completing a survey. It aims to steal financial info or install malware. Costco does not conduct such surveys, and you should never click links or provide personal details.

Costco has explicitly stated that they do not send unsolicited surveys in exchange for high-value rewards or gifts. Any email, text, or social media post offering a prize—such as a Ninja CREAMi, Samsung TV, or a $500 gift card—for completing a survey is a phishing scam.

Protect Yourself

  • Too Good to Be True: Offers free high-value items for a "small shipping fee" are always fake.
  • Urgency: Scammers create fake deadlines to prompt quick, reckless action.
  • Check the Sender: Verify the email domain; legitimate Costco communication comes from official, secure domains.
  • No Credit Cards: Costco will not ask for your credit card to ship a free, legitimate promotional item.
  • Actionable Advice: If you have received a suspicious communication, check the list of currently known scams on the official Costco website.

If You Are Targeted

  • Do Not Click: Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments.
  • Report: Report suspicious emails or texts to Costco or directly to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
  • Delete: Immediately delete the message.

If you have already entered credit card information, contact your bank immediately to secure your account.

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