The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the retail landscape, influencing how companies like Costco interact with their members and manage promotional activities. For U.S. consumers, this period brought a mix of legitimate operational changes, special recognitions for essential workers, and unfortunately, a surge in sophisticated scams exploiting the crisis. Understanding the distinction between authentic Costco offers and fraudulent schemes is essential for safeguarding personal information and accessing genuine benefits.
During the pandemic, Costco made several adjustments to its services. The retailer temporarily suspended its iconic free sample program in early March due to safety concerns, a move that was notably mourned by shoppers. However, by mid-2020, plans were announced to reintroduce samples with modified safety protocols. Simultaneously, Costco extended special access hours to healthcare workers and first responders and offered financial incentives for new nurse members. Conversely, malicious actors created deceptive text messages and social media posts promising stimulus checks, freebies, and gift cards, which the FBI identified as scams designed to steal personal information or install malware. Consumers must rely on official Costco communications and verified news sources to distinguish between these legitimate programs and fraudulent solicitations.
Legitimate Free Samples and In-Store Perks
Costco’s free sample program is one of its most recognized member benefits, allowing shoppers to try products before purchasing. The pandemic forced a temporary halt to this tradition, but the retailer has since implemented a return to sampling with safety modifications.
The Suspension and Return of Sampling
In early March 2020, Costco suspended its free sample program across its warehouses as a precautionary measure against the spread of the coronavirus. This decision was one of the first major changes implemented by the retailer and was widely noted by consumers on social media. During a quarterly earnings call in May 2020, Costco Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti announced that the retailer was targeting a mid-June return for samples. Galanti noted that the reintroduction would be a "slow rollout basis in sampling" and emphasized that the process would not be identical to pre-pandemic practices, specifically mentioning that consumers would not be picking up open samples with their fingers. This indicates a shift toward packaged or served samples to maintain hygiene standards.
The "Sample Meal" Phenomenon
The abundance of free samples at Costco warehouses led to a popular concept among members: creating a full meal from the samples available during a shopping trip. This concept gained significant traction on social media in late 2021, when a woman named Dhaliwal posted a video demonstrating how she consumed at least eight different items during a single visit. The video, which garnered millions of views, highlighted the variety and availability of samples, with Dhaliwal noting that she had not been aware of the abundance prior to filming. While the samples are intended as small tastes, the sheer volume available, particularly during busy weekends, allows members to sample a wide variety of food items.
Special Offers for Healthcare Workers and Nurses
Recognizing the contributions of healthcare professionals during the pandemic, Costco introduced specific programs and access privileges for nurses and other medical personnel.
$20 Costco Shop Card for Nurses
Costco offered a $20 Costco Shop Card to nurses and healthcare workers who were not yet members but chose to join the warehouse club. To receive this incentive, eligible individuals were required to verify their status as a nurse or healthcare professional through the third-party service ID.me. Once verified, the Shop Card was issued, providing a financial incentive for new members to join.
Special Operating Hours
In addition to the membership incentive, Costco maintained a COVID-19 policy that allowed healthcare workers and first responders special access to the warehouses. Beginning in March 2022, these professionals were permitted to shop during "Special Operating Hours" in addition to the regular operating hours available to the general public. This policy was designed to facilitate safer and more convenient shopping for those on the front lines of the pandemic.
Scams and Fraudulent Schemes
The uncertainty and financial strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic created a fertile environment for scammers. Numerous fraudulent schemes impersonated Costco, promising financial rewards and free products that did not exist.
Fake Stimulus Checks and Freebies
One of the most pervasive scams involved text messages and social media posts claiming to offer "freebies" for Costco members as part of a "COVID-19 stimulus package." The FBI issued warnings regarding these messages, which included offers such as "$100 bounty from Costco," "$110 rewards," and "$130 freebies." These messages urged recipients to click on a link to fill out a survey.
The FBI explicitly stated that Costco was not using text messages or social media to distribute stimulus checks or freebies. The links included in these messages were found to contain malware, ransomware, or other fraudulent methods designed to steal identity, financial, or personal information. The San Diego FBI office and local police departments amplified these warnings, advising the public not to click on unsolicited links or provide personal information in response to these texts.
Fake Christmas Food Boxes and Gift Cards
Another significant scam circulated on Facebook, promising a free food box worth $250 and a $35 voucher for Costco members. This fraudulent post mimicked a competition, asking users to like and share the post to qualify. Similar scams involved promises of $500 gift cards for completing a 30-second survey or $101 loyalty cards via text.
Costco’s official website has posted warnings about these fraudulent surveys and text messages. The retailer emphasized that they do not request personal information through unsolicited texts or emails for the purpose of distributing gift cards or reimbursements.
Fake TV Giveaways and Job Interviews
Additional scams identified by sources included fraudulent online ads promising free TVs from Costco and fake job interview offers. These schemes utilized the Costco brand name to lure victims into providing personal information or paying fees for non-existent products or employment opportunities.
Consumer Safety and Verification
Given the prevalence of these scams, it is critical for consumers to verify the authenticity of any offer claiming to be from Costco.
Identifying Red Flags
Consumers should be wary of any unsolicited communication—whether via text, email, or social media—that promises large monetary rewards, free products, or stimulus checks. Official Costco communications regarding membership or promotions typically do not ask for sensitive personal information via these channels, nor do they require clicking on external links to claim a reward.
Reliance on Official Sources
To confirm the validity of a program or offer, consumers should consult Costco’s official corporate website or contact member services directly. For legitimate programs, such as the nurse membership incentive, Costco utilizes verified verification processes like ID.me and provides clear instructions on its official website. Relying on official sources is the most effective defense against the misinformation and fraud that proliferated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted Costco to adapt its free sample program and introduce special benefits for healthcare workers, while also necessitating increased vigilance against fraud. Legitimate changes included the temporary suspension and modified return of in-store sampling, as well as the introduction of a $20 Shop Card and special shopping hours for nurses and first responders. However, these real changes were overshadowed by a wave of scams, including fake stimulus checks, food boxes, and gift cards, which the FBI and Costco actively warned against. Consumers must remain skeptical of unsolicited offers and rely exclusively on verified official communications to distinguish between genuine Costco benefits and fraudulent schemes.