Costco email settlement gives Washington shoppers until Aug. 24 to claim
Costco’s $14 million email settlement covers some Washington residents who received promotional emails tied to the lawsuit.
By Hana Yoshida · Markets Reporter
3 min read
Costco email settlement claims are due Aug. 24, 2026, for Washington residents covered by a $14 million class-action deal over promotional messages. The settlement could mean a payment for eligible recipients, though the final amount will depend on how many valid claims are filed, according to the settlement website.
The case, Michael Aaland v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, is pending in King County Superior Court in Washington. According to the complaint, Costco allegedly violated Washington’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act and Consumer Protection Act by sending promotional emails whose subject lines described sales as limited-time offers even though the company expected to extend them.
The complaint cited subject lines such as “Today is the last day to access Member-Only Savings” and “Hot Buys available for 5 Days Only.” Costco denies wrongdoing and says it settled to avoid the expense and uncertainty of continued litigation, according to the settlement materials. The court has not ruled that Costco broke the law.
Who qualifies for the Costco email settlement?
According to the settlement website, people may qualify if they received at least one commercial email sent by or for Costco between June 2, 2021, and July 7, 2026. They also must have lived in Washington state when they received the email, and the email address must appear in Costco’s records.
A notice by email or mail means Costco’s records indicate the recipient is likely included, according to the settlement website. People who did not receive a notice may still file a claim if they meet the eligibility rules.
How do you file a Costco email settlement claim?
Claims can be filed online at washingtoncommercialemailsettlement.com, the settlement website. The site says claimants do not need receipts or other proof, and people can file online even without a Claim ID.
People who prefer mail can download and print a claim form from the settlement website, fill it out and send it to the settlement administrator. Online claims must be submitted by Aug. 24, 2026, and mailed claims must be postmarked by that date, according to the settlement website.
How much could each person receive?
The settlement materials do not set a fixed payment for each claimant. Washington’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act allows people to seek up to $500 for each misleading commercial email, but the Costco settlement does not guarantee $500 per email or $500 per person.
Costco will fund a $14 million settlement, according to the settlement website. Attorney fees, court costs and administrative expenses will be deducted first, and the remaining money will be divided evenly among people with approved claims.
That means individual payments will rise or fall based on the number of valid claims. The settlement website says no final payment amount can be known until claims are reviewed and the court handles the settlement process.
Class members who do nothing will not receive a payment, according to the settlement website. They also will give up the right to sue Costco separately over the same issues once the settlement becomes final, unless they opt out by the Aug. 24, 2026, deadline.
This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.