Costco clamps down on membership cards.

Here's the news article rewritten:

Next time you go to Costco, make sure you have your membership card—and ID. The retailer is cracking down on non-members.

We don't feel it's right that non-members receive the same benefits and pricing as our members. - Costco to Business Insider

The crackdown: Costco is now testing membership card scanning at select store entrances, with plans to expand. This is to improve the member experience, but also to keep non-members from using others' cards. From a member update:

Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door...Prior to entering, all members must scan their physical or digital membership card.

Guests must accompany a member with a valid card. Members without a photo on their card need a photo ID as well.

Why now?

Membership fees are big money for Costco: $4.6 billion in 2022 from 128 million members. A recent annual report shows they made $1.12 billion in fees last quarter.

Your membership...allows us to offset many of our operating costs and price our merchandise lower. - Statement on Costco's site

Price increase: From Sept. 1, "Gold Star" membership will cost $65 (was $60) and "Executive Memberships" $130 (from $120). [Source]