Thousands of people are being targeted by a new Costco scam that uses fake surveys, phishing emails, and fraudulent websites to steal personal information and payment details. Victims are promised free rewards such as store memberships, appliances, electronics, or gift cards, but instead are directed to polished scam pages where they are asked to provide sensitive data or pay small “shipping fees” that are later misused.
The scheme spreads quickly through deceptive websites and the growing Costco email scam. Messages appear to come from legitimate sources but are sent from strange or spoofed addresses, often with urgent subject lines like “Last Chance Today” or “Survey Closing Soon.” These messages pressure recipients to click links without verifying them first, leading them into the fraudulent survey funnel.
Once clicked, victims are redirected through multiple malicious domains, including atsfamily.com, instantretailshop.com, and brightflow.st. These sites are either newly registered or hidden behind privacy services, a common red flag associated with online scams. The final pages collect personal data and payment details for prizes that never arrive. In many cases, the stolen information is later used for identity theft or fraudulent charges.
Understanding how the Costco scam operates is critical for staying safe online. This article explains how the fraud works, shows real examples of phishing emails, highlights the dangers, and provides guidance on avoiding the scam. It also includes professional steps to take if you have already been affected, including how to secure your accounts, protect your devices, and report the fraud to the proper authorities.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Costco Scam?
- How the Costco Survey Scam Works
- Examples of the Costco Email Scam
- Dangers of the Costco Scam
- How to Avoid the Costco Scam
- What to Do if You Were Scammed by the Costco Scam
- Reporting the Costco Scam
What Is the Costco Scam?
The Costco scam is an online fraud campaign that impersonates Costco Wholesale, one of the largest retail warehouse chains in the world. The scam uses Costco’s trusted brand name and logo to trick people into believing they are participating in a legitimate promotion, survey, or giveaway. Victims are typically told that they can claim expensive rewards, such as a free 12-month Costco membership or a Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker, simply by completing a short questionnaire. The purpose of the scheme is to steal personal information, payment card details, and money through unauthorized charges.
This type of scam combines several well-known online threats into a single campaign. It uses elements of phishing by mimicking a trusted company and asking people to click links or provide sensitive details. It also incorporates features of advance fee fraud, where victims are promised something valuable but must first pay a small fee to receive it. In this case, the so-called “shipping and handling” charges serve as the entry point for criminals to capture credit card information.
The Costco scam has been reported across multiple channels, including suspicious websites, redirect links, and fraudulent emails. Domains connected to the scam include atsfamily.com, instantretailshop.com, and brightflow.st. These sites are not affiliated with Costco in any way, and in many cases they were registered very recently or are masked behind domain privacy services to conceal the true owners. The scam is highly polished, using professional-looking pages that replicate Costco’s style, branding, and tone of voice. This makes it difficult for an unsuspecting customer to immediately identify it as fraudulent.
One of the most common forms of this scheme is the Costco survey scam. Victims receive an email or encounter a pop-up that claims Costco is conducting a limited-time survey. After answering a few simple questions about their shopping experience, they are told they have qualified for a prize. The survey format gives the impression of legitimacy and lowers suspicion, since many real companies use surveys to gather feedback. However, instead of directing participants to Costco’s official website at www.costco.com, the links take them to unrelated domains designed to harvest data and payments.
Another growing method is the Costco email scam. Fraudulent emails are distributed under subject lines like “Last Chance Today: Complimentary Membership + Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker.” These messages are crafted to create urgency and excitement. The sender addresses often appear strange or contain misspellings, such as myC0STC0Membership@atsfamily.com, or they may be spoofed to look like a real Costco address. Once a recipient clicks the link in the email, they are redirected through several suspicious websites before landing on the fake survey page. The entire process is engineered to look official while hiding its true intent.
Unlike some quick-hit scams, the Costco scam is more sophisticated and organized. It is part of a larger fraud network that uses multiple domains and rotating campaigns. When one site is flagged or taken down, the criminals quickly register new ones and continue the operation. This adaptability makes it difficult for authorities to shut down the entire network at once and it increases the chances of new victims falling for the scheme.
The risks associated with the Costco scam are serious. Victims who provide payment details often face unauthorized charges or recurring subscription fees that are hidden in the fine print. Others may have their information sold on underground markets where it can be used for identity theft. Because these scams often require clicking through multiple redirects, there is also the possibility of being exposed to malware or harmful tracking scripts that compromise the security of the victim’s device.
It is important to understand that Costco is not connected to these scams in any way. The company does not send unsolicited emails asking for personal information or payment in exchange for rewards. Any legitimate promotion run by Costco will be hosted directly on its official domain, costco.com, and not through unfamiliar websites. Customers should be cautious of any message, email, or pop-up that claims otherwise.
The Costco scam is a reminder 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 the Costco scam is the first step in staying safe and avoiding costly mistakes.
How the Costco Survey Scam Works
The Costco survey scam follows a predictable pattern designed to convince victims that they are participating in a legitimate promotion. It usually begins with a link shared through an unsolicited email, a pop-up advertisement, or a redirect from another suspicious website. The message claims that Costco is conducting a survey about customer satisfaction and offers a high-value reward for participation. Common prizes include free 12-month Costco memberships and Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Makers, but scammers also use other items such as electronics, household appliances, and large gift cards to broaden their appeal. The offer is always presented as urgent or limited in quantity, which pressures people into acting quickly without taking time to verify the source.
Once a person clicks the link, they are redirected through a series of unfamiliar domains. For example, victims may first land on a page hosted at atsfamily.com before being redirected to instantretailshop.com or brightflow.st. These domains are not connected to Costco and are often newly registered or hidden behind domain privacy services. The redirection chain is intentional. It helps the scammers hide their tracks, rotate domains as older ones are reported or blocked, and make it more difficult for authorities to shut the scam down completely.
Domains connected to the scam, such as atsfamily.com, instantretailshop.com, and brightflow.st, are either newly registered or hidden behind privacy services. These are red flags that can be uncovered with a simple WHOIS lookup, which allows you to see when a domain was created and who registered it.
The survey itself is very simple and typically asks a handful of basic questions about Costco. The questions are generic and not used for any real research. They exist solely to build credibility and give the appearance of a legitimate customer feedback program. Examples of questions 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. 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 shows images of Costco’s logo and a picture of the prize, along with a message that congratulates the participant for being selected. 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 and is 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. They are then told that they must pay a small shipping and handling fee, usually around ten to fifteen dollars, to receive the reward. A form is presented where credit card details are required, including the card number, expiration date, and CVV security code. This is the ultimate goal of the scam. Once the victim enters payment information, the scammers can steal the data and use it for fraudulent charges or sell it to other criminals online.
In many cases, victims who provide payment information do not just face a one-time loss. Some are enrolled in hidden subscription services that charge their credit cards on a recurring basis. Others may notice unauthorized purchases or large withdrawals after submitting their details. The scam is designed to make the shipping fee appear small and harmless, but it actually gives criminals access to a much larger financial resource.
It is also important to note that these scam websites often contain malicious code or tracking scripts. By visiting them, a victim’s device could be exposed to harmful software that collects browsing data or attempts to install malware. Even if no payment details are entered, simply interacting with the website can put personal information at risk. The use of multiple redirects increases this risk, since each step in the chain may load additional scripts or third-party trackers.
The Costco survey scam is effective because it preys on trust in a well-known brand and combines multiple forms of deception into one campaign. It uses professional design, realistic survey questions, urgency tactics, and rotating prize offers to lure people in. The final step of asking for a small payment fee makes the scheme appear believable, since many legitimate companies charge shipping for free promotional items. However, unlike a real promotion, no reward will ever be shipped and the victim is left with financial losses and compromised data.
By understanding exactly how the Costco survey scam works, people can recognize the warning signs before it is too late. Any offer that asks for personal information and payment details after completing a simple survey should be treated with extreme caution. Verifying that a promotion comes directly from Costco’s official website is the only safe way to determine whether it is real. Anything hosted on unknown domains or shared through unsolicited emails is fraudulent and should be avoided.
Examples of the Costco Email Scam
The Costco email scam is one of the primary ways this fraud spreads. Criminals send messages that appear to come directly from Costco but are actually sent from suspicious or spoofed addresses. These emails use Costco’s logo, colors, and formatting to look legitimate, and they often include promises of free rewards to get recipients to click links. Subject lines are designed to grab attention and create urgency, with phrases like “Last Chance Today: Complimentary Membership + Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker” or “Survey Closing Soon.”
Many of the emails come from strange addresses that do not belong to Costco. In some cases, they may use lookalike domains with slight variations, such as myC0STC0Membership@atsfamily.com, where the letter O is replaced with a zero. Other times, the email address is completely spoofed to look like it came from Costco’s official domain. These tricks make it difficult for a casual reader to notice the difference, especially if they are viewing the email on a mobile device where the full sender information is not always displayed.
The body of the email usually follows the same pattern. It opens with a greeting to “esteemed members” and claims that Costco is conducting a special survey. It promises valuable prizes for participation, such as a free 12-month Costco membership or a Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker. Some versions of the scam also offer gift cards, appliances, or electronics to make the promotion look more enticing. The emails use positive and friendly language that encourages trust, while also adding a limited-time deadline to create urgency.
Below is an example of a fraudulent Costco email that has been reported:
Subject: Last Chance Today: Complimentary Membership + Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker From: myC0STC0 Membership <myC0STC0Membership@atsfamily.com> Date: Tue 11:51 AM COSTCO WHOLESALE Dear Esteemed Member, A Gift for Costco Members We’re asking you to contribute feedback about your time with us in exchange for a unique thank you. As our way of expressing thanks for your effort, you’ll receive: • Free 12-Month Membership - For new members or as an extension for existing members • Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Appliance - While supplies last for the first 5,000 participants This chance is available for a limited duration to help us improve our community experience. To join, simply complete our concise member questionnaire. Your feedback helps us improve and continue delivering outstanding service. Claim Your 12-Month Membership By Participating » 2025 Costco Wholesale.
At first glance, the email looks polished and professional. However, the sender address does not belong to Costco, the offer is unrealistic, and the links do not point to costco.com. Instead, they redirect to fraudulent domains like instantretailshop.com or brightflow.st. The promise of expensive rewards for a short survey is a classic warning sign of a scam.
People who click on the link are taken directly into the survey funnel that leads to the fake prize claim page. The combination of official branding, professional language, and urgency tactics is what makes these emails convincing enough to trick victims into providing sensitive information. By carefully examining the sender address and hovering over links before clicking, it becomes clear that the Costco email scam is not legitimate.
Dangers of the Costco Scam
The Costco scam is not just a harmless trick that wastes time. It carries real risks that can lead to financial loss, identity theft, and compromised online security. The danger comes from the way the scam collects sensitive data and uses it for criminal purposes. By participating in the fake survey or following the links in a fraudulent email, victims may unknowingly expose themselves to several different threats.
One of the most immediate dangers is the theft of payment card details. Victims are often asked to pay a small shipping and handling fee to claim a supposed reward. The amount may be presented as minor, usually between ten and fifteen dollars, but the real purpose is to capture full credit card information, including the number, expiration date, and security code. Once this data is submitted, criminals can use it to make unauthorized purchases, create cloned cards, or sell the information on underground markets.
Another serious risk is identity theft. The survey pages ask for personal information such as name, email address, phone number, and home address. When combined with payment details, this creates a full profile of the victim that can be exploited for fraudulent activities. Criminals can use the data to open new accounts, commit financial fraud, or target the victim with additional scams. Even if the payment form is not completed, the information entered into the survey can still be valuable to scammers.
Many victims also experience hidden charges after participating in the scam. The payment form may include fine print that enrolls the victim in a recurring subscription service. Instead of being charged a one-time fee for shipping, the credit card may be billed every month for services that do not exist. Because the initial fee looks small and legitimate, many victims do not notice the recurring charges until significant money has been lost.
In addition to financial risks, the Costco scam poses security concerns for computers and mobile devices. The websites involved often contain tracking scripts, pop-ups, and malicious code. Simply visiting these pages can expose a device to spyware or adware that monitors browsing behavior. In more severe cases, the pages may attempt to deliver malware that can steal stored passwords, capture keystrokes, or provide criminals with remote access to the system.
There is also a psychological impact to consider. Victims who realize they have been scammed often feel embarrassed or distressed, which can prevent them from reporting the crime. This lack of reporting allows the scam to continue spreading unchecked. Some people also continue interacting with the scammers in an attempt to recover their supposed prize, which increases their exposure and risk of further loss.
The wide use of Costco’s name in this scam adds another layer of danger. Many people trust large, well-known brands and may not question an email or advertisement that includes Costco’s logo. This false sense of security lowers defenses and makes victims more likely to comply with requests that they would normally treat with suspicion. Because Costco is a household name, criminals can reach a much larger audience and increase their chances of success.
Ultimately, the dangers of the Costco scam extend far beyond the small shipping fee that is initially requested. Victims may face unauthorized transactions, ongoing subscription charges, identity theft, and even device infections. The best protection is awareness and prevention. Recognizing the warning signs before entering any personal information can stop the damage before it starts.
How to Avoid the Costco Scam
Avoiding the Costco scam comes down to recognizing the warning signs and taking precautions before sharing any personal or financial information online. Since these scams are designed to look convincing, consumers should slow down and verify details instead of acting quickly on an offer that seems urgent or unusually generous.
Always start by checking the source. Costco does not send unsolicited emails offering free memberships or expensive appliances in exchange for a short survey. If you receive such a message, look closely at the sender’s address. A legitimate Costco email will come from costco.com, not from strange or lookalike domains such as atsfamily.com or other unrelated websites. If you are ever unsure, go directly to Costco’s official website rather than clicking a link in an email.
Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true. While Costco may run promotions or discounts, it does not give away items like a Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker or large-value gift cards for answering a handful of survey questions. Scammers use these unrealistic prizes to draw attention and create urgency. Real promotions are usually smaller in scale and can always be confirmed on Costco’s official site or through their verified communication channels.
Hover over links before clicking. Most email clients and browsers will display the destination of a link when you place your cursor over it. If the link does not lead to costco.com or a trusted domain, it should be avoided. Fake survey scams almost always redirect through unrelated domains that change frequently to avoid detection.
Use reliable security software to protect against malicious websites. Programs such as antivirus tools and browser extensions can block known scam sites and warn you if a page is suspicious. Keeping your device updated with the latest patches also makes it harder for criminals to install malware if you accidentally click on a fraudulent link.
It is also important to avoid entering payment or personal details on unfamiliar websites. If you are asked to provide credit card information to pay a small shipping fee for a prize you did not expect, treat this as a red flag. Companies like Costco do not require sensitive information through pop-ups, unsolicited messages, or third-party websites. They will always direct customers to their own official domain.
Here are some common warning signs that can help you spot the Costco scam before it is too late:
- Emails promising expensive rewards for completing a short survey
- Sender addresses with strange domains or misspellings, such as myC0STC0Membership@atsfamily.com
- Links that redirect to websites other than costco.com
- Urgent subject lines such as “Last Chance Today” or “Survey Closing Soon”
- Requests for a small shipping fee to claim a high-value prize
- Websites that display countdown timers or stock counters to create pressure
- Pages that ask for full credit card details, including security codes, for survey rewards
By watching for these warning signs and remembering that Costco does not operate through unfamiliar domains, you can avoid becoming a victim of the scam. Taking a few extra seconds to verify an email or link is often all it takes to prevent financial loss and protect your personal information.
What to Do if You Were Scammed by the Costco Scam
If you interacted with the Costco scam, entered your details, or paid a shipping fee, it is important to act quickly. Scammers rely on delays to process fraudulent charges or sell stolen data. Immediate action can help reduce the damage and protect your financial accounts, identity, and devices from further harm.
The first priority is to contact your bank or credit card provider. If you submitted payment information, explain that your card was compromised in a fraudulent scheme. Ask for the card to be blocked or replaced and request a review of recent transactions for unauthorized activity. Most banks will reverse fraudulent charges if they are reported promptly. It is also wise to ask your provider to cancel any recurring subscriptions that may have been created through the scam.
You should also take steps to protect against identity theft. The survey portion of the scam collects names, email addresses, phone numbers, and home addresses. This information can be used to commit fraud or target you with additional scams. Monitor your bank accounts, credit reports, and statements carefully for unusual activity. In the United States, you can place a fraud alert or credit freeze with major credit bureaus to make it harder for criminals to open new accounts in your name.
Securing your devices is another important step. Scam websites often use tracking scripts or attempt to install malware. Run a full system scan using a trusted security program such as Malwarebytes to identify and remove potential threats. Keep your operating system and security software updated to protect against known vulnerabilities. If you clicked on the links using a mobile device, perform a security scan there as well.
Password safety should not be overlooked. If you provided your email address or other login details, and especially if you use the same password across multiple sites, change your passwords immediately. Use unique, strong passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication where possible. Scammers often test stolen credentials on popular websites to gain access to additional accounts.
If you believe you were affected by the Costco scam, watch for these common signs of compromise:
- Unauthorized charges on your bank or credit card statements
- Unexpected recurring subscription payments
- Suspicious login attempts or password reset requests on unrelated accounts
- An increase in spam or phishing emails shortly after completing the survey
- Phone calls or messages asking for more information after interacting with the scam
- Unusual pop-ups or performance issues on your device
Reporting the incident is also important. Contacting your financial institution and local authorities provides documentation that may help with disputes and can also assist in investigations. Victims in the United States can report scams like this to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You can also notify Costco customer service so they are aware of how their brand is being misused. Reporting scam emails to your email provider by marking them as phishing can also help reduce the spread.
Although being targeted by the Costco scam is stressful, acting quickly can limit the damage. By contacting your bank, securing your devices, updating passwords, and reporting the fraud, you can take control of the situation and reduce the risk of further loss.
Reporting the Costco Scam
Reporting the Costco scam is an important step in protecting yourself and helping prevent others from becoming victims. Scammers often rely on the fact that many people do not report fraud out of embarrassment or uncertainty. Every report adds to the awareness and increases the chances of fraudulent websites being taken down more quickly.
If you received a suspicious email, mark it as phishing in your email client. This helps email providers improve their filters and prevent similar messages from reaching other users. Do not reply to the message, and do not click any of the links inside. If you already clicked on a link, close the page immediately and follow the safety steps outlined earlier.
In the United States, fraudulent emails and websites can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission through their official portal at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC collects reports of scams and uses the information to track fraud networks and warn the public. You can also forward phishing emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org, which compiles reports of phishing attacks from around the world.
Costco customers should also notify the company directly. You can contact Costco customer service through their official website at www.costco.com to report suspicious messages that misuse their branding. This allows Costco to investigate and take action against fraudulent campaigns that impersonate their name.
Victims who entered payment information should also file a report with their bank or credit card provider, as well as local authorities. Some cases of fraud may qualify for investigation by law enforcement, especially if large sums of money are involved. Filing a report creates an official record of the incident, which can assist in recovering losses or disputing unauthorized charges.
In addition to formal reporting, sharing information about the Costco scam with friends, family, or coworkers can also help. Many scams spread quickly because people are unaware they exist. By letting others know what to look for, you reduce the chances of someone else falling victim to the same fraudulent offer.
Reporting the Costco scam is not only about protecting your own information. It contributes to a larger effort to shut down fraudulent domains, block dangerous emails, and warn potential victims before it is too late. Every report strengthens the collective defense against these scams.
