What is "COSTCO.COM" on my bank statement?
COSTCO.COM is a legitimate charge from Costco for online purchases, memberships, or services.
Merchant: Costco Wholesale | Category: Shopping
What Is This Charge?
A charge from Costco Wholesale reflects a purchase at Costco, a membership warehouse club founded in 1983 and known for bulk groceries, household goods, electronics, travel, and pharmacy services. Costco operates more than 870 warehouses worldwide, and its online store at Costco.com also processes orders for delivery, pickup, and member services. A Costco statement descriptor can also appear when you renew a membership, buy gas-related services in some cases, or place an order through Costco.com. The charge is usually legitimate when it matches a recent order, membership renewal, or authorized family card use.
Why Does This Charge Appear on My Statement?
This charge appears when you complete an online or in-store purchase using a card saved to your Costco account. It also appears when Costco renews an annual membership, which is commonly billed at $65 for Gold Star and Business memberships and $130 for Executive membership in the U.S. A separate charge can appear after a pickup order, delivery order, or pharmacy purchase if the transaction was finalized after the item was reserved. Some cardholders also see a temporary authorization hold before the final amount posts.
Typical Charge Amounts
Most Costco.com charges are tied to the order total, and many everyday purchases fall between $20 and $250. Standard U.S. membership fees are $65 per year for Gold Star and Business memberships and $130 per year for Executive membership. Temporary card holds can appear for $1, $5, or a small preauthorization amount before the final charge settles. Larger online orders for appliances, furniture, or electronics can exceed $500, especially when shipping, tax, or installation is included.
Common Variations
COSTCO.COM COSTCO.COM* COSTCO.COM 800-774-2678 COSTCO.COM MEMBER COSTCO.COM CA COSTCO WHOLESALE COSTCO WHSE #1234 COSTCO.COM #1234 COSTCO.COM 877-849-2730 COSTCO GAS
Is This Charge Legitimate?
A Costco charge is usually legitimate if you recently shopped at Costco.com, renewed a membership, or authorized a family user on your account. Check your Costco account at https://www.costco.com and sign in to review Orders, Membership, and Payment Methods. Compare the statement date, posted amount, and merchant descriptor with your order confirmation email or receipt. If the charge still looks unfamiliar, call Costco Member Services at 1-800-774-2678 and ask for the exact order or membership record tied to the transaction.
How to Dispute or Cancel
First, log in to your Costco account and review recent orders, membership renewals, and saved payment methods. Second, contact Costco Member Services at 1-800-774-2678 to cancel an order if it has not shipped, or to ask about membership cancellation and refund eligibility. Costco’s return policy is generous for most merchandise, and many items can be returned to a warehouse or through the online return process if they are eligible. Third, if Costco cannot resolve the charge, contact your bank or card issuer and file a dispute using the statement date, amount, and descriptor exactly as shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Costco charge show as COSTCO.COM*?
COSTCO.COM* usually means the payment was processed through Costco’s online checkout system rather than a warehouse register. The asterisk often appears when the charge is tied to an online order, membership renewal, or saved card authorization. Match the amount to your Costco.com order history and confirmation email before assuming it is fraud.
How do I cancel my Costco membership?
You can cancel a Costco membership by visiting a warehouse membership desk or by calling Member Services at 1-800-774-2678. Have your membership number, name, and billing details ready so the agent can locate the account. If the renewal already posted, ask whether you qualify for a refund under Costco’s membership satisfaction policy.
Why is my Costco charge a different amount than expected?
A Costco charge can differ from the estimate because tax, shipping, delivery fees, or installation costs are added at checkout. Some orders also change after weight-based items are finalized, such as meat, produce, or other variable-weight goods. A temporary authorization hold can also show a small amount before the final posted charge appears.
Can Costco.com charges include membership renewals?
Yes, Costco.com charges can include annual membership renewals for Gold Star, Business, or Executive memberships. In the U.S., the standard fees are $65 and $130, so a posted charge near those amounts is often a renewal rather than a product purchase. Check your membership renewal date in your Costco account to confirm.
What should I do if I do not recognize a Costco charge?
Start by checking your Costco.com order history, membership status, and any family card activity linked to your account. Then call Costco at 1-800-774-2678 and ask for the transaction details tied to the descriptor. If the merchant cannot verify the charge, contact your bank immediately and open a card dispute.
Similar Charges
- COSTCO.COM
- COSTCO.COM*
- COSTCO.COM 800-774-2678
- COSTCO.COM MEMBER
- COSTCO.COM CA