Costco to Pay $14 Million in Washington Commercial Email Class Action Settlement
Costco Washington Commercial Email Class Action Settlement
Costco Wholesale Corporation agreed to a $14 million settlement over allegations that it sent commercial emails with misleading subject lines advertising time-limited promotions that Costco allegedly knew it would extend. Washington residents who received a qualifying Costco commercial email between June 2, 2021 and July 7, 2026 can file a claim for a pro rata share of the fund.
Settlement fund
$14M
Common fund
Top payout
Pro rata share
No fixed per-claim amount
Claim deadline
Aug 24, 2026
35 days remaining
You may be owed money
Filing is free and takes a few minutes. Deadline: Aug 24, 2026.
Do you qualify?
You are a Class Member if ALL of the following apply:
- You are a Washington resident who received a commercial electronic mail message transmitted from or on behalf of Costco between June 2, 2021 and July 7, 2026.
- You received the message at an email address appearing in Costco's records. You do not need to have received a notice of this settlement to be a Class Member.
- Excluded: Costco, any entity with a controlling interest in Costco, and Costco's current or former directors, officers, and counsel and their immediate families.
Not sure if you qualify? Call the Settlement Administrator at 888-808-6247, or visit WashingtonCommercialEmailSettlement.com.
What happened
Plaintiff Michael Aaland alleges that Costco violated Washington's Commercial Electronic Mail Act (CEMA) and Consumer Protection Act (CPA) by sending commercial emails with subject lines advertising temporary or time-limited promotions, such as "Hot Buys available for 5 Days Only," when Costco allegedly knew it would extend those promotions past the stated time frame. Under CEMA, plaintiffs contend recipients are entitled to $500 per violating email or actual damages, which plaintiffs contend is subject to trebling under the CPA.
Costco denies any wrongdoing, maintains it complied with all state and federal laws, and contends the lawsuit is not well grounded in law or fact. The Court has not decided whether Costco did anything wrong. The parties agreed to settle to avoid the cost, risk, and time of continued litigation.
How to file a claim
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1. Confirm you are eligible
You must have received a commercial email from or on behalf of Costco while a Washington resident, sent between June 2, 2021 and July 7, 2026, at an email address in Costco's records.
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2. Understand the payout
There is no fixed per-claim amount. The $14 million fund, after attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, and a service award, is divided equally among everyone who submits a timely, valid claim, so the actual payment depends on how many people file.
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3. File online or by mail
Submit the Claim Form online at veritaconnect.com/washingtoncommercialemailsettlement/Claimant by August 24, 2026, or mail a paper Claim Form (postmarked by August 24, 2026) to: Aaland v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 301134, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1134.
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4. Receive your payment
Payments are issued after the Court grants final approval at the October 2, 2026 Final Approval Hearing and any appeals are resolved. The appeal process can take a year or more. No follow-up is required once your claim is submitted.
Key dates
- Aug 24, 2026 Opt-out & objection deadline Upcoming
- Aug 24, 2026 Claim filing deadline Upcoming
- Oct 2, 2026 Final Fairness Hearing (3:30 p.m. PT, in person) Upcoming
- TBD after final approval Payments issued to claimants Pending
The Final Approval Hearing is scheduled for October 2, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. before the Honorable Janet Helson in Courtroom W728, Superior Court of Washington for King County, 516 Third Ave., Seattle, WA 98104. The Court may move the hearing, so check WashingtonCommercialEmailSettlement.com for updates before traveling.
Where the money is going
This is a common fund. Attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, and a service award to the Class Representative come out of the $14 million before payments are calculated for class members.
All amounts listed above are pending and subject to final court approval at the Final Approval Hearing. The Court may award less than the amounts requested. Settlement payments will be divided equally among all Settlement Class Members who submit timely, valid Claim Forms.
Common questions
How much money will I receive?
There is no fixed per-claim amount. Settlement payments will be divided equally among all Settlement Class Members who submit a timely, valid Claim Form, after deducting attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, and any service award from the $14 million fund. Your actual payment depends on how many valid claims are filed.
Do I need to submit proof of purchase?
The Notice does not state that documentation is required. You attest on the Claim Form that you received one or more qualifying Costco commercial emails while a Washington resident and owned the email address(es) provided. Each Settlement Class Member may submit only one Claim Form.
What if I didn’t receive a notice?
You can still file a claim even if you did not receive a notice by email or mail. If you received a commercial email from or on behalf of Costco between June 2, 2021 and July 7, 2026 while a Washington resident, at an email address in Costco's records, you are likely a Class Member and can submit a Claim Form.
Does staying in the class affect my right to sue later?
Yes. Unless you exclude yourself (opt out) by mailing or emailing a written request postmarked by August 24, 2026, you will be bound by the Settlement and will release claims relating to commercial emails sent to any email address that were or could have been brought in the lawsuit. Full release language is in the Settlement Agreement at WashingtonCommercialEmailSettlement.com.
When will payments be sent out?
The Court will hold the Final Approval Hearing on October 2, 2026 before Judge Janet Helson. Payments will only be issued after the Court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved, which can take a year or more. No action is required after a valid Claim Form is submitted; check WashingtonCommercialEmailSettlement.com for updates.
Dapeer Law, P.A.
Consumer class action attorneys based in South Florida. We track settlements so you don’t have to.
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This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Dapeer Law, P.A. is not the administrator of this settlement and is not affiliated with Costco Wholesale Corporation, Verita (the Settlement Administrator), or Class Counsel Joseph Wright of HKM Employment Attorneys LLP, Jason Rittereiser of HKM Employment Attorneys LLP, Donald Heyrich of HKM Employment Attorneys LLP, and Rachel Emens of HKM Employment Attorneys LLP. The case is Michael Aaland v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, Case No. 25-2-16392-0, pending in the Superior Court for the State of Washington, King County before the Honorable Janet Helson. Class representatives are Michael Aaland. Costco denies wrongdoing. This website is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
