For Costco shoppers, emails about orders and deliveries usually feel routine. A confirmation here, a shipping update there, maybe a membership reminder. But a new Costco scam currently circulating is making those same emails feel a lot less safe. It looks legitimate at first glance, which is exactly what makes it so dangerous for everyday shoppers.
What makes this scam stand out is not just the message itself but how normal it appears. And that is where shoppers need to pay close attention.
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What Is the New Costco Scam?
A Reddit user shared that this new Costco scam begins when a shopper receives what appears to be a legitimate order confirmation email. It includes official formatting, real-looking purchase details and even Costco branding. Nothing immediately screams fake.
Instead of sending a clearly fake email, scammers exploit legitimate Costco order emails associated with actual purchases. In some cases, scammers appear to be abusing email forwarding systems, causing a real Costco order confirmation to be sent to multiple inboxes.
The scammer then manipulates what appears inside the order details. In particular, they use the shipping name or address field to insert urgent instructions, such as a fake cancellation message and a scam phone number. It might look like a warning, such as “Order in transit, call to cancel” followed by a helpline number.
If someone calls the phone number listed in the email, they are connected to a scammer posing as customer support. The scammer is typically calm, helpful and apologetic. They may say there was a billing mistake or overcharge and offer to help fix it.
From there, the goal is to gain control of the victim’s computer or financial accounts. Scammers often ask users to install remote access tools, which allow them to see and control the screen. They may then guide the shopper through fake refund steps designed to create confusion, including showing fake “overpayments” or incorrect balances.
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Eventually, the scammer pressures the victim to “return” money that was never actually sent. This is where real financial loss happens. Victims are often pressured to send irreversible payments, such as wire transfers or gift cards.
The key thing Costco shoppers should remember is simple. A real Costco email will never ask you to call a random number for urgent action. If anything in an order email feels off, do not use the contact details inside the message.
Instead, go directly to Costco’s official website or app to check your orders. Do not click links, do not call numbers and do not install software based on email instructions.
How Can Costco Shoppers Protect Themselves Against The New Scam?
If you receive an unexpected Costco email, the safest approach is to slow down and verify independently. View your account directly on Costco’s official site rather than replying to the email. Be especially cautious if the message includes urgency, unusual charges or instructions to call a phone number.
If you ever did interact with a suspicious message, change your passwords immediately and contact your bank if any financial information was shared.
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