Costco Wholesale Corp. Agrees to $14 Million Settlement Over Alleged Misleading Promotional Emails in Washington State
Costco Wholesale Corp. has agreed to pay $14 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the retailer sent misleading promotional emails to customers in Washington state. The lawsuit claims Costco violated the state’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act by using deceptive subject lines, such as "Today is the last day to access Member-Only Savings," for offers that allegedly continued beyond the advertised expiration dates. While Costco did not admit any wrongdoing, the settlement provides a payout for Washington residents who received these emails between June 2, 2021, and July 7, 2026. Eligible class members must submit a claim form by August 24, 2026, to receive a share of the net proceeds. The final payout per person will depend on the total number of valid claims submitted after court-approved fees and costs are deducted. A judge is scheduled to review the settlement for final approval on October 2, 2026.