“If their membership card does not have a photo, then we ask for a photo ID,” Costco said. To curb any non-member shoppers, Costco employees have begun to check for membership cards at self-checkout, to validate each shopper’s status using the photo on their card. “We don’t feel it’s right that non-members receive the same benefits and pricing as our members.” “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,” reads a statement released by Costco.

Last month, Costco announced its intentions to more strictly enforce its membership policy, which stipulates that only Costco members are allowed to make purchases at checkout - and not just anyone who happens to be carrying a valid membership card borrowed from a family member or friend. (NEXSTAR) – Sorry, Costco moochers: Gone are the days when you could borrow your sister-in-law’s membership card to buy yourselves a Kirkland rotisserie chicken.