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

Costco Scam Emails - Protect Yourself
Costco Scam Emails - Protect Yourself

Costco scam emails often impersonate the retailer to steal personal information, payment details, or login credentials via fake surveys, "free gift" offers (e.g., Yeti coolers, Ninja Creami), or fake membership renewal alerts. These phishing emails typically feature malicious links, spoofed sender addresses (not ending in "@costco.com"), and generic greetings.

Common Scams

  • Fake Rewards/Offers: Surveys promising free gifts or gift cards for completing a survey.
  • Urgent Account Issues: Claims that your membership has expired or that there is a "subscription renewal issue".
  • Suspicious Sender Address: Emails not originating from an official "@costco.com" domain, often from random Gmail accounts.
  • Phishing Links: Requests to click links to update payment details or verify personal information.

Protect Yourself

  • Check the Sender: Always verify the email address. Legitimate Costco communication comes from @costco.com.
  • Don't Click Links: Instead of clicking links, go directly to Costco.com and log in there.
  • Verify Offers: Costco does not randomly email members for surveys with high-value prizes.
  • Report Scams: Report phishing attempts to Costco and to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Known Scams

  • Survey Scam: An email offering a free ice cream maker in exchange for a survey.
  • Membership Renewal Scam: Emails claiming your membership is expiring, designed to steal credit card information.
  • Job Offer Scam: False job opportunities offering high pay for little work.
  • Fake Refund Emails: Claims of overcharges requiring you to input bank details for a refund.

If you receive a suspicious email, do not open any attachments or click on any links.

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