Costco shoppers may be eligible for large payout after multi-million dollar email settlement

Costco Wholesale Corp. has agreed to a $14 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit, Aaland v. Costco Wholesale Corp., which alleges the retailer violated Washington's Commercial Electronic Mail Act (CEMA). The lawsuit claims Costco sent misleading promotional emails with deceptive subject lines that created a false sense of urgency by advertising limited-time offers that were allegedly intended to be extended.

Washington residents who received these promotional emails between June 2021 and July 2026 may be eligible to file a claim for up to $500 per qualifying email. However, the final payout amount per person remains undetermined as it depends on the total number of valid claims submitted after deducting attorney fees and litigation costs. Eligible class members must submit a claim form by August 24, 2026.

While Costco denies any wrongdoing, the settlement aims to resolve the litigation. Individuals have the option to opt out of the settlement by August 24, 2026, to preserve their right to sue separately. The court is scheduled to decide on the final approval of the settlement on October 2, 2026, in Seattle.

(Source：Fox Business)