Heads Up Michigan: Costco is Now Cracking Down on All You Moochers

There have been a lot of rumors flying about the 'Costco Crackdown,' as the chain is now more strictly enforcing its membership rules. Here's what you need to know.

Costco Isn't Changing Its Membership Rules

Earlier this summer, the warehouse retailer announced that it's going to be scrutinizing who's going through the checkout at its nearly 600 stores in the US. Costco operates 16 warehouse stores in Michigan.

That doesn't mean a change to the membership agreement, it simply means that Costco is more strictly enforcing its membership rules. Only Costco members are allowed to make purchases at checkout, not just anyone who happens to be carrying a membership card they borrowed from a family member or friend.

So yes, Costco employees will be checking the photo on membership cards when you go through the checkout. You'll need a photo ID if your membership card doesn't have a picture.

Can Family Members Still Use My Costco Card?

The short answer is yes. Costco memberships afford members the opportunity to assign a household card to someone else who lives at the same address. That person must be at least 16 years old and be able to prove residency. That secondary card will also bear the household member's name and photo.

Here's an excerpt from a statement released by the chain:

“Our membership policy states that our membership cards are not transferable and since expanding our self-service checkout, we’ve noticed that non-member shoppers have been using membership cards that do not belong to them. We don’t feel it’s right that non-members receive the same benefits and pricing as our members.”