Costco cracks down on membership card sharing

The days of sneaking into Costco with someone else’s card are coming to an end. The retailer is cracking down on membership card sharing with a new policy where all cards will be scanned at store entrances. 

Costco said in a recent statement on its website: “Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse.”

Under the new process, all members must scan their physical or digital cards by “placing the barcode or QR Code against the scanner.” Previously, shoppers typically only had to present their membership cards at the cash register during check out. 

Guests without cards must be accompanied by a member to enter, making it harder to slip in on a borrowed card.

For members with cards without a photo, they’ll be asked to show a valid photo ID, and are encouraged to have their photo taken to add to their cards at the membership counter.

The statement said that an attendant would be stationed at store entrances to assist shoppers.

For members whose cards are inactive, expired or those who would like to sign up for a new membership, the attendant will ask them to stop at the membership counter prior to entering the warehouse to shop. 

NBC News has reached out to Costco for comment.

Costco relies on membership fees to drive most of its revenue and help keep merchandise prices low.

The new card-checking policy is the latest effort to put a stop to non-members taking advantage of the benefits.

Last year, Costco stepped up enforcement by adding an extra check for memberships in self-checkout aisles in an effort to stop shoppers from using other members’ cards. 

The store also announced last month it would increase its membership rate for the first time since 2017. The fee would rise by $5 in the U.S. as of Sept. 1, changing the annual membership fee from $60 5o $65. Its higher-tier plan, called “Executive Membership,” will increase to $130 a year from $120.