Costco is a retail giant that has won the hearts and wallets of millions of Americans. With an unrivaled combination of top-notch products and lowest prices, he can find everything he needs under one roof, so it’s no wonder it’s the go-to destination for savvy shoppers.
Nevertheless, wherever there is a favorite destination, scammers will try to exploit it for their own gain. To protect its loyal customers, the retail giant has issued warnings about some common scams criminals use to trick unsuspecting shoppers like you and me.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular to know what to look out for.
1. Avoid all fake emails
Costco Executive Membership is a great way to save money as you can earn 2% annual rewards on qualifying purchases at Costco, Costco.com and Costco Travel. However, this is what hackers try to take advantage of. We may attempt to email or text message you about these offers, ask you to click on links that contain malware, or ask you to provide personal information.
Costco will only mail the Reward Certificate along with the annual renewal notice and will be sent only to the primary member. So if you get contacted by someone claiming to be Costco in any other way, don’t trust them.
Costco Executive Membership is a great way to save money as you can earn 2% annual rewards on eligible purchases at Costco. (Costco)
In the past, you may have received emails asking you to win prizes for new products such as TVs or gaming systems, exclusive offers, or even participate in surveys. Always check the sender’s email address before clicking on links or opening attachments in these emails. Here is the official email Costco uses to send the actual message: Costco@online.costco.com, So if the email you open does not contain that exact address, it may be a scam.
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2. Beware of fake sites
There are hackers who create fake websites that look like Costco to trick people into divulging personal information or buying items they will never get. Costco’s URL is very simple. Always check the URL of the website you are visiting before entering any information or attempting to purchase anything.
3. Postal Fraud
Another trick used by hackers is to send emails that appear to come from the US Postal Service, informing them that the package has been lost and that redelivery should be requested. These emails are sent to people regardless of whether you expect to receive the package. If you have the fact that you have never ordered anything online from Costco, please ignore this email. If you ordered items from Costco, please contact Costco directly via Costco’s live chat service or customer service number 1 (800) 774-2678. Please let them know about the email you received. Then they will help you.
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4. Fake Job Interview
Yes, I read that headline correctly. Scammers may even send emails about interviews to work at Costco, even if they have never applied to Costco. You will be asked for employment information and other personal information in exchange for an interview with the company. No company should ask for personal information until you are hired. So if you receive an email like this, it is definitely a scam.
Hackers send emails pretending to be from the US Postal Service. ( )
5. Text message scam
In some cases, hackers send text messages with links to complete surveys or claim bogus “rewards,” similar to email scams. They may also try to trick you with their direct his deposit scam. It sends a text asking you to connect your credit card information to Costco for instant cashback rewards. In this way, they try to steal your credit card number and even bank account number for profit.
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Do not click any links sent in this way. Be particularly careful when using urgent language that calls for immediate action.
6. Special benefits related to COVID-19
Scammers also tried to persuade Costco customers about the so-called “Costco coronavirus stimulus package,” which entitles Costco members to free perks. There is no such thing as a Costco coronavirus stimulus package, and any message you receive regarding this, whether email or text message, is from a scammer.
7. Gift card fraud
Costco offers its customers shop cards that can be gifted to loved ones or used for yourself. However, these cards can only be used at Costco’s website or in-store, and Costco will never send you any messages regarding card redemption. The card cannot be redeemed for cash. If you receive a message asking you to redeem your card, ignore it.
8. Fake Facebook Scam
In the past, there have been scammers trying to trick people with fake Facebook ads. They disguised themselves as Costco employees and Costco’s CEO, claiming they were celebrating a special anniversary with the company, and sharing, liking, and commenting on posts that would make them appear inside the store. provide people with goods such as food boxes from Below is an example of a fake post on his Costco website.
The fake Costco post claims to be a Costco employee or CEO celebrating a special anniversary with the company. (Costco)
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9. Fraudulent cart notifications
You may also receive emails about so-called “products in your cart”. This is when the scammer tells her that she left an item in her cart without completing the purchase while shopping online, and prompts her to click on a link that directs her to Costco’s website. However, they usually contain malware or direct you to fake girlfriend websites that ask you to provide more personal information.
A false cart notification is when a scammer tells you that you left items in your cart while shopping online without completing the purchase. (Costco)
How can you further protect yourself from these scams?
It’s never a bad idea to keep an eye on every email or text message. However, we are also human and scammers can be sophisticated, so we are limited in what we can get around on our own. Therefore, if you haven’t already done so, we recommend that you take the following additional precautions:
Install good antivirus software on all your devices.
Installing antivirus software prevents you from accidentally clicking malicious links that can install malware on your device. This software also removes existing malware from your device.
Read my expert reviews on the best antivirus protection for you. Windows, Mac, Android, iOS devicesand CyberGuy.com/LockUpYourTech.
Protect yourself digitally. (Cyber Guy.com)
use Protection against identity theft.
Identity theft companies monitor your personal information, such as your home title, social security number, phone number, and email address, and warn you if it is sold on the dark web or used to open an account. emits It also helps freeze bank and credit card accounts to prevent further fraudulent use by criminals.
One of the best things about using some services is identity theft insurance up to $1 million to cover losses and legal costs, and white glove fraud with a US-based case manager to help you recover your losses. Including a resolution team.
Find tips and recommendations for protecting yourself from identity theft. CyberGuy.com/IdentityTheft.
How to protect yourself from identity theft. (Cybgerguy.com)
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