Beware: “Your Costco Membership Expired” Emails Are a Scam
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
The Costco membership expired email scam is a phishing attempt targeting Costco members. Scammers send an email pretending to be from Costco, claiming your membership has expired and asking you to renew it. However, clicking any links or providing information leads to hidden fees and potential identity theft. This article reveals everything you need to know about how the Costco expired membership scam works and how to protect yourself.
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Overview of the Scam
The Costco membership expiration scam is a cunning phishing tactic that takes advantage of Costco’s popularity and large membership base. Scammers send fake emails pretending to be from Costco, stating your membership needs renewed. This tricks millions of Costco members into clicking dangerous links and providing sensitive information.
These fraudulent emails closely mimic legitimate Costco messages. The deceptive design fools recipients into believing their account is expiring. Scammers leverage fear of missing out on Costco benefits you rely on for shopping. This drives urgency to click their link “renew” as soon as possible.
Upon clicking, you’re taken to convincing copycat websites that impersonate real Costco pages. You’ll be asked to verify personal and payment details, which gets directly into the hands of criminals. From there, victims are redirected to unrelated subscription services carrying hidden fees. Monthly charges ranging from $10-$40 may start appearing from unfamiliar companies you didn’t agree to.
Beyond stealing your money, the scammers now have your name, email, address, and credit card number. This highly sensitive data enables identity theft, allowing them to open fraudulent accounts or make unauthorized purchases in your name. Your entire financial life could be ruined.
These devious emails come from lookalike domains totally unrelated to Costco. Rather than @costco.com, sender addresses utilize obscure extensions like .xyz or .store to seem legitimate. Costco’s real branding and logos are copied flawlessly to arrange authenticity on first glance.
By linking to fake Costco imposter sites instead of Costco.com, scammers circumvent anti-phishing protections. They prey on human nature knowing most will click without checking the actual web address. Even savvy internet users can be duped when these emails land in trusted inboxes alongside real notifications.
With Costco serving over 63 million members in 12 countries, this scam has mass appeal for organized cybercrime rings. Reports indicate these Costco phishing attempts have ramped up in frequency, targeting more innocent victims. The result is unsuspecting people getting duped out of hard-earned money and sensitive personal data.
How the Costco Membership Expiration Scam Works
Here is a step-by-step explanation of how scammers carry out this scam:
1. You Receive an Email About Membership Expiration
The scam email comes from an address like “Costco Membership Team” rather than an official Costco domain. The subject line says “Your membership has expired.”
The email body claims Costco tried but failed to renew your membership due to an expired or invalid payment method. It provides a link to “renew” your membership and retain benefits.
2. The Link Goes to a Fake Website
If you click the link, it doesn’t go to Costco.com. Instead, it goes to a lookalike site designed to mimic a real Costco membership renewal page.
The domain name is completely different than Costco’s, often using obscure extensions like “.de.” This is a clue it’s not legitimate.
3. You’re Prompted to Take an “Online Shopper Survey”
On the fake site, you’re presented with a shopper survey offering enticing rewards like vacuums, iPhones, or gift cards. This convinces you to provide personal information.
You’re promised a “free” reward if you complete the survey. In reality, this is a ploy to capture your data. No legitimate survey would offer such expensive prizes.
4. Hidden Fees Are Buried in the Fine Print
After finishing the survey, you’re redirected to a third-party site and prompted to provide payment information to claim your reward. Hidden in the fine print are monthly subscription fees you’re auto-enrolled in.
These monthly charges are completely unrelated to Costco. The scammers profit from tricking consumers into inadvertently signing up for recurring payments.
5. Your Credit Card is Charged Unexpected Fees
Once you input payment details, you’ll start seeing monthly charges from unfamiliar third-party companies. These represent the hidden subscription fees you unknowingly agreed to.
The charges often range from $10 – $40 per month. Tracking them down to request refunds can be extremely difficult and time-consuming.
6. Your Personal Information is at Risk
Beyond financial losses, providing info exposes you to identity theft. Scammers capture your name, email, address, payment details and more. This data can be used to compromise your identity and make unauthorized purchases.
How to Identify the Fake Costco Emails and Websites
The scammers go to great lengths to replicate legitimate Costco messaging and branding. But upon closer inspection, there are often red flags that reveal the scams:
Watch for these signs in scam emails:
Sender address is slightly different than @costco.com, such as @costcomembers.xyz.
Urgent threats of account cancellation if you don’t act immediately.
Suspicious links do not match real Costco domains. Hover to preview where they really go.
Poor grammar, spelling errors, or awkward phrasing.
Requests for sensitive personal information upfront.
Here’s how to detect the fake prize/survey pages:
URLs look nothing like Costco, using obscure domains. Examples include costcorewards.xyz or costcobargains.shop.
Survey offers overly expensive prizes like brand new iPhones that would never be given for free.
Fine print and terms hide monthly subscription fees disguised as one-time payments.
Sites have no working contact information, just fake phone numbers and addresses.
The Costco logo seems blurry, distorted, or just a bit “off” upon close inspection.
Spelling and grammatical mistakes abound. Lots of bad English translations.
Page design seems amateurish or hastily thrown together unlike the real Costco site.
When in doubt, verify directly with Costco.
Go to Costco.com or your account to confirm membership status. Contact them via official channels before trusting an outside email or odd website. Deleting any questionable messages is the safest bet.
What to Do If You Get the Costco Membership Expiration Email
If you receive an email about an expired Costco membership, it’s crucial you take steps to protect yourself rather than clicking anything within it. This will reduce your risks of exposing sensitive information to scammers. Follow these best practices:
Carefully inspect the sender’s email address. It should end in @costco.com specifically. Any variations like @costco-member.com are clear red flags of a scam attempt.
Resist urgency cues demanding quick action. Scammers often use threatening language, such as “Act now or your membership will be permanently cancelled!” Real Costco emails won’t pressure you like this.
Log into your official Costco account immediately. Don’t click the link in the questionable email. Visit Costco.com directly yourself and sign in to view your real membership status. This will confirm if it has actually expired or not.
Check your upcoming renewal date in your account. Even if your membership is expiring soon, use Costco’s official site to renew. Avoid third parties offering discounted rates, which are often just scams.
Contact Costco if unsure of your status. Reach out to their customer service online or by phone to ask questions. Verify details before taking action on expiration claims.
Forward scam emails to abuse@costco.com to report them directly. This helps Costco strengthen scam detection and protect other members.
If you did input your info, call your credit card company immediately. Report any charges you don’t recognize so they can begin fraud investigation and possibly reverse the charges.
Monitor your statements diligently over the next few months. Continuing scouring for any unusual subscription fees or activities. Dispute them promptly.
Enable credit alerts to be notified of any new accounts opened in your name. This can catch identity theft stemming from your data being stolen early.
Change any passwords shared with what you entered on fake sites. Pick unique, complex passwords for every account to limit damage.
Run antivirus scans on devices used to access suspicious links. This detects any malware installed from scam sites.
Staying vigilant against scams pretending to be from trusted brands like Costco protects you in the long run. Always think before clicking and go directly to real websites to verify any claims of expired accounts or required renewals when suspicious emails arise. If impacted, take preventative measures through fraud alerts, credit monitoring and updated passwords.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. 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.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. 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.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
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.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Costco Membership Expired Email Scam
1. What is the Costco membership expired email scam?
The Costco membership expired email scam is a phishing scam where fraudsters send fake emails claiming your Costco membership needs renewed. The email states your payment failed and membership was cancelled. It provides a “renew” link that actually steals your personal and payment information.
2. How does the Costco membership expiration scam email work?
The scam email looks like it’s from Costco, often using a spoofed email address. The subject line says your membership expired. The body claims billing failed so they cancelled you. A “renew” link goes to a fake website impersonating the real Costco site. You’re prompted for personal/payment data which is stolen.
3. What happens after you click the link in the Costco expiration scam email?
The fraudulent link goes to a convincing counterfeit website designed to look like a legitimate Costco renewal page. You’ll be asked to enter your name, address, credit card, etc. to “renew.” Your data is stolen and you’re redirected to shady subscription services you didn’t agree to.
4. What are the hidden monthly subscription fees in the Costco scam?
After inputting your information, recurring monthly charges from unfamiliar third-party companies may start appearing on your credit card. The fees can range from $10-$40 per month for mystery subscriptions you never signed up for or agreed to.
5. How can you identify the fake Costco membership expired emails?
Warning signs include sender addresses ending in @email.com rather than @costco.com. Links go to odd domain names completely unrelated to Costco. Poor grammar, spelling errors, or threatening urgent tones are other red flags.
6. What should you do if you get the Costco membership expiration email scam?
Do not click any links or provide personal/payment details. Log into your real Costco account to confirm status. Report the scam email to Costco. Check bank statements for mystery charges. Enable credit monitoring and fraud alerts. Change any reused passwords.
7. How can Costco members avoid falling for the expired membership scam?
Be wary of any emails claiming account issues. Verify the sender address is exactly @costco.com. Check with Costco directly if concerned about status. Do not click links or give information to any unofficial sites. Use unique strong passwords and credit monitoring to protect yourself.
8. Who is behind the Costco membership expiration phishing scam?
Cybercrime rings and scammers operate these phishing scams for financial gain, often from foreign countries. They mass target Costco’s huge member base hoping sheer volume will yield stolen data from unsuspecting victims. Billions are lost to phishing annually.
9. How can I report the Costco membership expiration scam email?
Forward any suspicious emails you receive to abuse@costco.com. File complaints with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and IC3.gov. Contact your credit card company about any monthly fees you see. Report identity theft to the police.
10. How do I renew my real Costco membership to avoid expiration?
Check your renewal date by logging into your account at Costco.com. Costco sends legitimate renewal prompts via postal mail and email from @costco.com. Renew online, in warehouses or via their official mobile app to avoid any lapse.
The Bottom Line
The Costco membership expiration phishing scam is designed to steal your money and personal information through deception. Stay vigilant against suspicious emails and verify them directly with Costco before clicking any links or providing data. If you shared any sensitive information through one of these scams, take steps to protect yourself through fraud alerts, credit monitoring, and antivirus software.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
