3 chapters across the catalog
A host describes finding an original blue Costco wholesale gold card membership from the era before the merger with Price Club. The card features a Polaroid photo scotch-taped to the back and lacks a magnetic strip. The discussion centers on the host's role as an archivist of historical retail ephemera.
An undercover investigation by KPIX 5 found that TSA agents at Bay Area airports would accept a Costco card as a valid form of identification. The discussion clarifies that while ID is not legally required to fly, travelers without it undergo more intensive screening.
Credit Card Data Mining and Consumer Profiling
Financial institutions and companies like Federal Express use sophisticated data mining to profile consumer behavior and detect suspicious patterns. The US government is reportedly seeking access to all credit card transaction data to monitor political affiliations and spending habits. Specific purchase patterns, such as buying gas and Nikes in quick succession, can trigger automatic account freezes.
