Costco agreed to pay $14 million in a Costco email lawsuit payout to resolve a Washington class action over promotional emails that plaintiffs said used misleading subject lines to push limited-time offers. Washington residents whose email addresses appear in Costco’s records and who received the emails between June 2021 and July 2026 may file a claim. Eligible class members face an Aug. 24, 2026 deadline.
Aaland v. Costco Wholesale Corp.
The case is Aaland v. Costco Wholesale Corp. and centers on Washington’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act, or CEMA. The lawsuit says Costco sent commercial emails with subject lines that created a false sense of urgency, including “Today is the last day to access Member-Only Savings” and “Hot Buys available for 5 Days Only.”
Under CEMA, recipients may recover up to $500 per qualifying email. The settlement creates a pool of $14 million, but each person’s share will depend on how many valid claims are filed and the deductions taken from the fund before distribution.
Washington claim deadline
Each class member may submit only one claim form, even if Costco sent multiple qualifying promotional emails. The same Aug. 24, 2026 deadline also applies to people who want to opt out so they can preserve the right to sue separately, or to object to the settlement terms.
That timeline gives affected Washington shoppers a clear choice now: file by Aug. 24, 2026 and seek a payment from the settlement, or step aside and keep the option to pursue their own case. Costco denied wrongdoing while agreeing to the settlement, so the claim process is the only path for class members who want a share of the fund.
Costco settlement terms
The remaining question is the payout size. Because the amount depends on how many valid claims come in, a shopper who received several qualifying emails does not automatically receive a larger award; the settlement says one claim form covers each class member. For Washington residents who think their email address appears in Costco’s records, the practical move is simple: check eligibility and submit the form before the deadline.
