The provided source material exclusively addresses fraudulent schemes that misuse the Costco brand to deceive consumers. These scams typically involve unsolicited emails, pop-up advertisements, or redirected websites claiming to offer high-value rewards—such as free televisions, electronics, appliances, or gift cards—in exchange for completing a customer satisfaction survey. The documentation clarifies that Costco Wholesale does not conduct promotional giveaways of this nature and that these offers are not affiliated with the company. The primary goal of these schemes is to harvest personal information, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, and mailing addresses, or to obtain financial data through the payment of purported "shipping fees" for non-existent prizes. The sources describe a predictable pattern where victims are redirected through a chain of unfamiliar domains, presented with a simple questionnaire, and then pressured by countdown timers or limited stock notices to provide sensitive data to claim a reward. The information provided focuses on the mechanics of these scams, red flags for identification, and official warnings from Costco regarding unauthorized communications.

Scam Mechanics and Deceptive Tactics

According to the source material, the Costco survey reward scam follows a predictable pattern designed to convince victims they are participating in a legitimate promotion. The scheme usually begins with an unsolicited email, a pop-up advertisement, or a redirect from a suspicious website. The message claims that Costco is conducting a survey regarding customer satisfaction and offers a high-value reward for participation. Common prizes cited include free 12-month Costco memberships, Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Makers, electronics, household appliances, and large gift cards. These items are chosen to broaden the appeal of the scam. The offer is frequently presented as urgent or limited in quantity, pressuring individuals to act quickly without verifying the source.

Once a potential victim clicks the provided link, they are often redirected through a series of unfamiliar domains. For example, one documented chain led victims from a page hosted at atsfamily.com to instantretailshop.com and brightflow.st. These domains are not connected to Costco and are often newly registered or hidden behind domain privacy services. This redirection chain is intentional; it helps scammers hide their tracks, rotate domains as older ones are reported or blocked, and make it more difficult for authorities to shut down the operation completely. A simple WHOIS lookup can reveal these red flags, showing when a domain was created and who registered it.

The survey itself is described as very simple, typically asking a handful of basic questions about Costco. Examples include asking which word comes to mind when thinking of Costco, how advertisements influence shopping decisions, or what features of a particular product excite the participant. These questions are generic and not used for actual research; their sole purpose is to build credibility and give the appearance of a legitimate customer feedback program. The entire process is designed to look professional and keep the victim engaged long enough to reach the final step.

At the end of the survey, victims are told they have qualified for a prize. The page often displays Costco’s logo and an image of the prize, along with a congratulatory message. A countdown timer or stock counter is frequently displayed to create a sense of urgency. The victim is told they must act quickly to secure the reward before the offer expires or the item is gone. This pressure tactic is a hallmark of online scams, used to lower defenses and encourage fast decisions.

The next step is where the scam becomes dangerous. To claim the prize, the victim is asked to provide personal information such as their name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. In more sophisticated variations, such as those tracked by security researchers, scammers may also request a small "shipping fee" of a couple of dollars. While the initial loss seems trivial, this transaction is actually a method to steal financial data, including credit card numbers. The documentation notes that offers promising free products from trusted brands like Costco in exchange for a survey and a small shipping fee are sophisticated scams with a high price tag.

Official Warnings and Red Flags

Costco Wholesale has issued specific warnings regarding these fraudulent communications. The company explicitly states that offers claiming to provide free televisions, gift cards, or other high-value items in exchange for survey participation are not from Costco Wholesale. Consumers are advised not to visit any links provided in such messages and not to provide any personal information to the sender.

The source material lists numerous examples of fraudulent emails, texts, and posts currently circulating. These include:

• Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Survey
• Scam Subscription Email
• Online Commentator job offers
• Recruitment Messages
• Membership Expiration Notifications
• Cyber Week Survey Websites
• Cart Notification scams
• Autumn Giveaway Email
• Facebook Offers and Posts
• Survey Texts
• Satisfaction Survey scams
• Texts Regarding Loyalty Reward
• Overcharge Reimbursement Texts
• Survey with Exclusive Offers
• Free Television emails
• Exclusive Giveaway scams
• Interview Confirmation scams
• Executive Rewards Redemption scams
• Citi Rewards Direct Deposit scams
• Redeem your gift card! scams
• Supermarket Customer Sweepstakes Raffle Draw
• Text Survey scams
• USPS impersonation scams
• Letter Survey scams
• Executive Member Reward Email scams
• Free Samsung TV Email scams
• Halloween Marketing Survey Email scams
• Loyalty Program Survey scams
• Three Question Survey Simplehuman Sensor Trash Can scams
• Calls from "Chinese Costco Member Service"

One specific example of a scam email provided in the documentation features a subject line such as "Congratulations Costco Customer. up to $1OO Reward 1669161." The body of the email urges the recipient to "Click Here For The Survey & Pick Up To $100 Bonus" and warns that the deal expires in 24 hours. The email includes a physical address in New York with an incorrect zip code (using "IooIo" instead of "10010"), which suggests it was copied and pasted from a non-text-based source. This type of error is a potential indicator of fraudulent intent.

Another variation involves a "Free Television" offer. Costco has been notified of members receiving fraudulent emails claiming to offer a free television. Similar to other scams, these messages are designed to trick recipients into providing personal information or clicking malicious links.

The documentation also highlights a specific campaign tracked by the KnowBe4 Threat Lab involving fake surveys for products from brands like Costco. In these instances, scammers offer a "free" product but require the user to pay a small shipping fee. This seemingly harmless transaction is a method to capture credit card information, leading to much greater financial loss than the initial fee.

Consumer Protection and Best Practices

The core advice from the provided sources is consistent and direct: do not provide personal information online through links included in prize notifications. Consumers should always be suspicious of emails claiming to be from Costco that address them generically as "Dear Customer" and offer huge gifts for seemingly little in return. One scam cited by Costco claims to give customers a free 4K HDTV just for paying their credit card bills on time. The documentation warns that responding to such offers will result in a compromised credit card.

To verify if an email from Costco is legitimate, consumers are directed to check the list of valid Costco Wholesale domains. While the specific list is not provided in the source text, the implication is that official communications will originate from recognized domains, whereas scams often use look-alike domains or unrelated addresses.

If a consumer receives a suspicious communication, the recommended action is to ignore the offer completely. Do not click any links, do not provide any personal information, and do not attempt to engage with the sender. Reporting the scam to Costco customer service can also help the company track and alert other members to ongoing fraudulent campaigns.

The sources emphasize that even trusted household names can be misused by cybercriminals. By exploiting Costco’s reputation and popularity, scammers increase their chances of success. Many people are familiar with Costco’s membership program and might believe they are receiving a real offer, especially when the message includes recognizable product names and images. This is why awareness is essential. Knowing how to identify the scam and verify legitimate communication can protect customers from financial loss and identity theft.

As these scams continue to evolve, consumers should remain vigilant whenever they receive an unexpected offer involving Costco or any other major retailer. If an offer sounds too good to be true—such as a free appliance or free membership for completing a short survey—it is almost always fraudulent. Understanding the details of these scams is the first step in staying safe and avoiding costly mistakes.

Conclusion

The provided source material offers a comprehensive look at a specific type of online fraud: the Costco survey reward scam. These scams are characterized by unsolicited communications promising high-value rewards in exchange for survey participation. The documentation details the entire lifecycle of these scams, from the initial contact through redirection chains, fake surveys, and the final request for personal or financial information. It explicitly states that Costco does not offer free products or gift cards through unsolicited surveys and warns consumers against providing information or clicking links in such messages. The key takeaway for consumers is to exercise extreme caution with any unsolicited offer, verify the legitimacy of the source through official channels, and never provide sensitive data to unverified parties.

Sources

1. Mashed: Costco Scams to Know About Before Shopping
2. The Internet Patrol: Costco Survey Reward Email Scam
3. Botcrawl: Costco Scam
4. KnowBe4 Blog: The Hidden Cost of Free Gifts
5. Costco Customer Service: Currently Known Scams