Costco survey scams: how to spot the fake prize text or email
Quick answer
A text or email that offers a free prize, gift card or appliance for answering a Costco survey is a scam. Costco says it has seen fake surveys from people pretending to be Costco and that it doesn't ask for personal information by text. Don't click. Delete it and report it.
- Pretends to be
- Costco
- Last updated
How it works
Scammers pretend to be Costco and send a text or email inviting you to take a short survey in return for a prize, such as a gift card or a free appliance. The link goes to a copy of a survey page, then to a form for your card number, bank details or other personal information, usually "just to cover shipping".
Costco's own fraud page says it has seen an increase in fraudulent surveys from parties claiming to be Costco that offer a free prize in return for responses. It says it does not ask customers for personal information online or by text. It also flags a text about a 2% Executive Member reward that Costco says it never sends.
The prize doesn't exist. What the scammers want is your card details or enough personal information to take over an account or open one in your name.
Red flags
- A survey that pays a prize for a few minutes of your time
- A deadline that is minutes or hours away, or only for the "first respondents"
- A request for card details or personal information to claim or ship the prize
- A link to a web address that isn't costco.com
- An unexpected text about a membership reward Costco says it doesn't send
Example message
Costco member survey: answer 3 quick questions and claim your free [prize]. Offer expires today. Start here: [link]
What to do
- 1
Don't click, reply or call back
Don't open the link or reply, even to say stop. If you're unsure, go to costco.com by typing it yourself or call the number on your membership card.
- 2
If you clicked or typed in details, act on those accounts
Change the password on any account you typed in, and turn on two-step verification. If you entered a Social Security number, consider a credit freeze with the three credit bureaus.
- 3
If you paid or shared card details, call your card issuer
Use the number on the back of your card, not one from the message. Say it was fraud and ask them to block the card and reverse the charge.
- 4
Delete it and report it
Report the message at the official channels below, then delete it. Reports help investigators spot patterns.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scam texts and emails reach you because your phone number or email is on a list. Scammers often pick targets using names, phone numbers and emails pulled from people-search sites and old breaches. Serus finds the data brokers that list you and removes you from them, and it alerts you when your email shows up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you. Our guide to what to do after a data breach covers the steps if your details leaked.
More Costco scams
Frequently asked
Is the Costco survey real?
Costco says it has seen an increase in fake surveys that use its name to offer free prizes. A survey that arrives by unexpected text or email and promises a prize should be treated as a scam.
Does Costco text about member rewards?
Costco's fraud page says it does not send text messages about the 2% Executive Reward and tells members not to reply or click.
Is Costco behind this?
No. Costco is the company being impersonated, and it publishes warnings about these messages.
I entered my card number. What now?
Call your card issuer using the number on the card, ask them to block the card and dispute any charges, then watch your statements.
Sources
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