This settlement resolves claims that Costco sent Washington residents marketing emails with misleading, time-limited-sounding subject lines. If you received a Costco promotional email while living in Washington between June 2, 2021 and July 7, 2026, you can file a no-proof claim for an equal share of the $14 million fund.
What Is This Settlement About?
Costco Wholesale Corporation has agreed to a proposed $14 million settlement to resolve a class action alleging it sent Washington residents marketing emails with false or misleading subject lines. The case, Michael Aaland v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, Case No. 25-2-16392-0 SEA, is pending in the Superior Court of Washington for King County, before the Honorable Janet Helson. The lawsuit alleges Costco violated Washington's Commercial Electronic Mail Act (CEMA) and Consumer Protection Act (CPA) by advertising time-limited promotions in email subject lines when, the complaint claims, Costco knew it would extend those promotions past the stated deadline. Costco denies any wrongdoing, maintains it complied with the law, and agreed to settle only to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation; no court has decided whether Costco did anything wrong.Under CEMA, a recipient of an unlawful commercial email can seek $500 per message (or actual damages), which the plaintiff contends may be trebled under the CPA. That statutory exposure is the legal backdrop for the case — it is not what an individual class member receives here. Instead, if the settlement is approved, the $14 million fund is divided pro rata among everyone who files a valid claim. The claim deadline is August 24, 2026. This page explains who qualifies, what you can get, and how to file.
Who Qualifies?
The Settlement Class is all persons who received a commercial electronic mail message, and who were Washington residents at the time of receipt, that was transmitted by Costco or someone acting on its behalf at any time from June 2, 2021 through July 7, 2026, to an email address included in Costco's email marketing list. Excluded are Costco itself, entities with a controlling interest in Costco, its current and former directors, officers, and counsel and their immediate families, and anyone who validly excludes themselves.You do not need to have received a mailed or emailed notice to qualify. Costco's records identify likely class members, but people who were not sent a notice may still be part of the class if they meet the definition above. Examples of the kinds of emails at issue, drawn from the court-approved notice, include subject lines such as "Today is the last day to access Member-Only Savings" and "Hot Buys available for 5 Days Only."
How Much Can You Get?
If the settlement is approved, Costco will pay a Gross Settlement Amount of $14,000,000. The money is used to pay class members, court-approved attorneys' fees and litigation costs, a service award to the class representative, and — separately paid by Costco, not out of the fund — the costs of administering the settlement.Every eligible class member who files a valid claim receives an equal pro-rata share of the Net Settlement Fund. Class Counsel has said it will ask the court to approve attorneys' fees of up to one-third of the fund (up to $4,620,000), plus litigation costs (estimated at about $16,500) and a service award of up to $2,500 to the class representative. After those court-approved deductions, roughly $9.36 million would remain to be divided among valid claimants if the court awards the full requested amounts. Because payments are pro rata and split equally, the exact amount per person depends on how many valid claims are filed — the more people who claim, the smaller each share, and vice versa.
On the claim form, you choose how to be paid: PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, a virtual prepaid card, or a physical check. Any settlement checks that go uncashed may be redistributed to claimants who cashed their payments or donated to the Legal Foundation of Washington.
How to File a Claim
The deadline to submit a claim is August 24, 2026, whether you file online or by mail (postmarked by that date). You can file online through the official settlement website, Washington Commercial Email Settlement.com. The claim form asks for the email address(es) at which you received Costco's marketing emails and requires you to attest, under penalty of perjury, that (1) you received one or more Costco commercial emails between June 2, 2021 and July 7, 2026, (2) you were a Washington resident at the time, and (3) you owned that email address.If you received a notice, it includes a Claim ID and PIN that make online filing faster — but they are optional. The claim portal has two paths: one for class members who have a Claim ID and PIN, and one for those who do not. Either way, the administrator verifies the email address you provide against Costco's records, so no receipts or other documentation are needed. Each class member may submit only one claim, regardless of how many emails they received, and duplicate claims are rejected.
Key Deadlines
- File a claim: August 24, 2026
- Exclude yourself (opt out): August 24, 2026
- Object to the settlement: August 24, 2026
- Final approval hearing: October 2, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. (Courtroom W728, King County Superior Court, Seattle)
If you do nothing, you remain in the Settlement Class and give up your right to sue Costco over the issues in this lawsuit, but you will not receive a payment. To receive a payment, you must file a valid claim by August 24, 2026. Benefits are distributed only after the court grants final approval and the settlement becomes final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the Costco Washington email settlement?
You qualify if you were a Washington resident when you received a commercial (marketing) email transmitted by Costco or on its behalf between June 2, 2021 and July 7, 2026, at an email address that appears in Costco's email marketing data. Examples of the emails at issue include subject lines like "Today is the last day to access Member-Only Savings" and "Hot Buys available for 5 Days Only."
How much money will I get from the Costco email settlement?
Costco will pay a $14 million settlement fund. Every class member who files a valid claim receives an equal pro-rata share of the net fund — what remains after court-approved attorneys' fees (up to $4.62 million requested), litigation costs, settlement administration, and a service award to the class representative (up to $2,500). The exact per-person amount depends on how many valid claims are filed, so it is not fixed in advance.
Do I need proof or a Claim ID to file a Costco email claim?
No documentation is required. The claim form lets you file with or without the Claim ID and PIN from your notice — there is an explicit option for class members who do not have a Claim ID and PIN. You provide the email address at which you received Costco's emails and attest, under penalty of perjury, that you received one or more Costco marketing emails as a Washington resident and owned that email address. The administrator verifies your email against Costco's records.
What is the deadline to file a Costco email settlement claim?
The deadline to file a claim, exclude yourself, or object is August 24, 2026. The final approval hearing is scheduled for October 2, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. in King County Superior Court.
How will I receive my Costco settlement payment?
On the claim form you choose how to be paid: PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, a virtual prepaid card, or a physical check mailed to you. Payments are made only if the court grants final approval and the settlement becomes final.
What is the Costco email lawsuit about?
The lawsuit, Michael Aaland v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, alleges Costco violated Washington's Commercial Electronic Mail Act and Consumer Protection Act by sending marketing emails whose subject lines advertised time-limited promotions that Costco allegedly knew it would extend past the stated deadline. Costco denies any wrongdoing and maintains it complied with the law; no court has found that Costco did anything wrong.
Watch Out for Scams
Legitimate settlement administrators do not charge a fee to release a class action payment, and they will not ask for your banking passwords or a "processing payment" by text or phone. File only through the official settlement website linked on this page, and ignore unsolicited messages demanding money or sensitive credentials to "release" your payment. To compare this case with others, browse our roundup of open class action settlements.Official Settlement Notice
Sources
- Aaland v. Costco — Official Settlement Website
- Superior Court of Washington, County of King (Case No. 25-2-16392-0 SEA)
