Costco Shoppers Have A Chance To Cash In Over Old Emails

Washington residents who received certain promotional emails from Costco between June 2021 and July 2026 may be eligible for compensation under a proposed $14 million class action settlement.

Under the proposed deal in Aaland v. Costco Wholesale Corp., Costco agreed to create a $14 million settlement fund while denying any wrongdoing.

“In agreeing to settle, Costco maintains that it complied with the law and does not admit any wrongdoing,” the document states.

The lawsuit claims that Costco used deceptive subject lines that created a false sense of urgency, including phrases like “Today is the last day to access Member-Only Savings” and “Hot Buys available for 5 Days Only.” 

According to the lawsuit, Costco continued offering some of the same promotions after telling customers they were about to expire, allegedly violating Washington’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act (CEMA) and the state’s Consumer Protection Act, the New York Post reports.

Washington residents whose email addresses are in Costco’s records and who received the promotional emails between June 2021 and July 2026 may be eligible to file a claim. 

Claim forms must be submitted by August 24, 2026. Those who wish to pursue their own lawsuit rather than participate in the settlement must opt out by the same deadline, Fox News reports.

Eligible claimants may receive up to $500 each qualifying email, though the actual payout will depend on the number of valid claims submitted and other court-approved deductions from the $14 million fund.

Costco also faces several other lawsuits over its products and business practices. A lawsuit filed earlier this month alleges that one of Costco’s protein powders contains toxic heavy metals, while another accuses the company of falsely advertising its rotisserie chicken as containing “no preservatives.” 

A separate lawsuit alleges Costco continued charging higher prices tied to tariffs even after the tariffs were struck down.