Buzz
Costco’s policy clearly states that it only accepts coupons issued directly by the company itself.
Costco is not the only brand exploited in such scams. Fraudsters often target well-known companies (especially those that rarely offer coupons, like Aldi) to commit identity theft. In some variations of the scam, as expert Steve Weisman explains, the fraudster asks for your credit card details. The scams often encourage you to share the fake coupon on social media, “which makes the counterfeit offers seem more legitimate to your friends,” Weisman wrote on his blog, Scamicide. Ultimately, “These coupons are worthless and can lead you straight into the trap of identity theft.”
Weisman shares some useful tips on his blog for spotting these scams. If you come across a coupon on social media or in your inbox with no expiration date, it's most likely a fake. Similarly, if you visit the retailer’s official website and see no sign of such an offer, it’s definitely a scam.
If you come across a scam coupon, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission via its complaint portal. If the coupon arrives in your email, you can forward it to the FTC.
