The Costco ‘Samsung QLED 8K Smart TV’ email scam is a phishing scam designed to steal personal and financial information from victims. This article will provide an in-depth look at how the scam works, how to spot and avoid it, what to do if you fall victim, and frequently asked questions.
What is the Costco ‘Samsung QLED 8K Smart TV’ Email Scam?
The Samsung QLED 8K TV email scam pretends to be from Costco, claiming the recipient has been selected to receive a free Samsung QLED 8K Smart TV. The scam email contains Costco branding and graphics to appear legitimate.
The email states the recipient simply needs to complete a survey to claim their free TV. However, the survey is designed to steal personal and financial information. The scam takes advantage of people’s desire to get something for free.
How the Costco ‘Samsung QLED 8K Smart TV’ Scam Works
The scam starts with an unsolicited email sent to the victim’s inbox. The email is made to look like an official correspondence from Costco, featuring company logos and branding. The message congratulates the recipient, stating they have been selected to receive a free Samsung QLED 8K Smart TV.
To claim the supposed free TV, the email instructs the victim to complete a short survey. This survey asks for personal details like your name, address, phone number, and email address. It also requests credit card information, under the guise of needing to process a small shipping and handling fee.
Eager to claim their free prize, many recipients end up completing the survey and submitting their personal data. However, after handing over their information, victims never receive the promised free TV. The reason is because there was no TV being given away in the first place. The scam survey was just a way to illegally obtain people’s personal and financial details.
With the stolen information now in hand, the scammers either use it themselves for activities like identity theft or sell it on the black market. The victim usually doesn’t realize their data has been compromised until they notice fraudulent charges on their credit card statement or that some other form of identity theft has occurred. By then, it is too late and the scammers have already profited off their information.
The Costco Samsung TV scam takes advantage of consumer excitement over the prospect of getting a high-end 8K TV for free. But the reality is that these too-good-to-be-true offers are always a scam. Responding to unsolicited messages like this often ends up with criminals obtaining your private data. Being able to identify the red flags is key to avoiding falling victim.
How to Spot the Costco ‘Samsung QLED 8K Smart TV’ Email Scam
There are several red flags that can help identify this scam:
- The email is unsolicited – you didn’t sign up for any Costco contest or promotion.
- There are spelling and grammatical errors throughout the email.
- The email address does not match an official Costco domain.
- Hovering over links shows suspicious URLs unrelated to Costco.
- Claims of free big ticket items like TVs are always suspicious.
- High pressure tactics like “limited time offer” are used to get people to act quickly without thinking.
- Strange payment requests for small fees via wire transfer or prepaid cards.
- Poor image quality of logos and branding.
- No phone number or physical address provided to contact them.
What to Do if You Get the Costco ‘Samsung QLED 8K Smart TV’ Scam Email
If you receive an email claiming you’ve won a free Samsung QLED 8K TV from Costco, here are important steps to take:
- Do not click any links or open attachments in the email. These could contain malware.
- Forward the scam email to phishing@costco.com so Costco can investigate it.
- Report the scam email to your email provider’s abuse department.
- Delete the scam email immediately.
- If you already responded and entered personal information, contact your bank and credit card companies. Let them know your information was compromised and ask them to watch for suspicious activity.
- Place a fraud alert on your credit reports with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This makes it harder for scammers to open new accounts in your name.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and IC3.gov so authorities are aware of the scam.
What to Do if You Already Fell for the Costco ‘Samsung QLED 8K Smart TV’ Scam
If you already responded to the email and entered your personal or financial details, take these steps right away:
- Contact your bank and credit card companies. Report any fraudulent charges or activity. Cancel compromised cards and request new ones.
- Change passwords on all of your online accounts, especially financial accounts that use the same password as what you entered on the scam site. Make the new passwords strong and unique.
- Place a 90 day initial fraud alert on your credit reports to help prevent identity theft.
- Monitor all bank and credit card statements closely for any unauthorized charges. Report any suspicious activity immediately.
- Consider signing up for identity theft protection services to help monitor for misuse of your personal information.
- File a report with your local police department regarding the identity theft. Get a copy of the police report.
- Submit an ID theft affidavit to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov. This helps legally records the fraud.
- Contact all three credit bureaus to put a freeze on your credit reports to block thieves from opening new accounts.
- Be aware of future phishing attempts using your info. Ignore any calls or emails requesting personal info.
Is Your Device Infected? Run a Free Malware Scan
Slow performance, constant pop-ups, or strange behavior? These are classic signs of a malware infection. The fastest way to find out is to scan your device with Malwarebytes Free — one of the most trusted malware removal tools available.
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Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your PC in just a few minutes.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
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Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
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Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
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When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
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On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
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Enable “Scan for Rootkits”
Before scanning, turn on rootkit detection so Malwarebytes can find even the most hidden threats. Click the Settings gear icon on the left side of the screen.
In the settings menu, find “Scan for rootkits” and click the toggle so it turns blue.
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Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
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Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.
That’s it — your Windows PC is now clean of trojans, adware, and other malware, and should be back to running smoothly.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
- Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Mac
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your Mac in just a few minutes.
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Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
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Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
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Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
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Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
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Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, your Mac is clean.
That’s it — your Mac is now free of adware, rogue browser extensions, and other potentially harmful software.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Android
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
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Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
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Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options.
This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue.
Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step.
Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue.
Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
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Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
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Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
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Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
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Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
That’s it — your Android phone is now clean — no more malicious apps, adware, or browser redirects.
If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Stay Protected: Block Ads and Malicious Sites
Now that your device is clean, keep it that way. Most infections start with a malicious ad or a fake download button — so blocking them at the source is your best defense.
We recommend AdGuard, which blocks malicious ads, phishing pages, and dangerous redirects before they can reach you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I try to claim the free TV?
Nothing will happen if you try to claim the free TV, because it does not exist. The claim form is only there to steal your personal and financial details. No TV will ever be sent.
Could this email really be from Costco?
No, this is a scam email and is not associated with Costco in any way. The scammers fake the Costco branding to appear legitimate.
Is this type of scam illegal?
Yes, phishing scams are illegal. Scammers can face fines or jail time if caught and convicted.
What do scammers do with my information?
Scammers use your personal info for activities like opening fraudulent credit cards or bank accounts in your name or selling your details on the dark web.
Can I get my money back if I paid them?
If you paid via credit card, you can request a chargeback from your credit card company to potentially get the money returned. If you paid another way, it is unlikely you will get the money back.
How did scammers get my email address?
Scammers buy or steal email address lists on the black market. They also use bots to scrape addresses online. Protecting your email address is important.
Could clicking links in the email infect my computer?
Yes, phishing scams frequently contain malware in links or attachments, hoping victims will click and infect their device. Never click on links or downloads in suspicious emails.
Is there anyway to stop these kinds of scams?
These scams may never stop entirely, but being aware of red flags and smart computing habits significantly reduces your risk of falling victim. Never let your guard down with unsolicited messages.
Final Thoughts
The Costco Samsung TV scam is designed to steal consumers’ personal and financial information by capitalizing on people’s desire for free tech products. Being able to recognize phishing scams is crucial. If you receive a suspicious offer, delete it immediately rather than engaging. If you did provide info, take steps quickly to prevent identity theft. Share awareness of these scams with family and friends to help protect them.
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