Shantel Williams, accountant, Taxes, small business, entrepreneurship

by Daron Pressley

January 20, 2024

The ‘Sassy Accountant,’ Shantel Williams, Shares Tax Tips For Individuals And Small Businesses

As tax season surfaces, individuals and small business owners seek ways to maximize their returns and minimize their liabilities.

Shantel Williams, known as the Sassy Accountant, is the dynamic force behind The Firm ALP. With over 15 years of experience and licenses across the United States, Williams helps individuals and small business owners navigate the complexities of taxation.

As tax season surfaces, individuals and small business owners seek ways to maximize their returns and minimize their liabilities. Williams shares valuable insights and strategies with BLACK ENTERPRISE to help everyone—from individuals to small business owners and investors—make the most out of this tax season.

Overlooked Deductions for Individuals

One of the common mistakes an individual makes is not having an additional stream of reporting income. “Individuals should have something that allows them to file a Schedule C on their tax return,” says Williams. “A lot of people leave money on the table when it comes to the IRS because all they have is W-2 income.”

Williams recommends exploring different gig opportunities and emphasizes activities like baking cakes or offering services without a formal business structure that can also be claimed on taxes.

Small Business Owners: Invest in an Accountant

“For a small business owner, investing in an accountant or CPA will save more money than using a tax preparation company or doing it on your own,” Williams advises.

Williams emphasizes the importance of working with professionals specializing in a specific industry or business, noting that ” every business is structured very differently.”

Stay Informed About Tax Law Changes

Using Zelle, Cash App, and other sources for transferring money may seem innocent, but you may affect your taxes.

“Being conscious about how you move money from one account to another and tracking electronic transfers is crucial,” warns Williams.

To avoid complications during tax filing, document and be able to explain all financial activities.

Managing Investments: Document Everything

Managing investments is complex but can be simplified by using project management tools to provide accountants with accurate information. “If you’re an investor, you should be keeping every single receipt and saving every document,” says Williams.

Furthermore, Williams suggests considering all sources of income and loans and maintaining the proper paperwork for tax purposes.

Homeowners: Leverage Tax Breaks

Homeownership can help you build wealth and save on your taxes. Eligible breaks include mortgage interest, property taxes, and home improvements. “Considering solar panels, depending on where you’re at, there are solar panel programs that can get you anywhere from $5,000 to $18,000 back on the solar panels itself,” suggests Williams.

She encourages homeowners to keep all receipts and documentation to make the most of available tax breaks.

Top Three Tips For A Smooth Tax Season

As tax season looms, Williams’ practical tips offer a roadmap for individuals, small business owners, and investors to navigate the complexities of tax preparation, ultimately ensuring they make the most of available deductions and credits.

Document Everything: Scan and upload receipts, bills, and documents regularly throughout the year. Treat your tax-related paperwork like a photo album.
Shop Around for an Accountant: Don’t hesitate to explore different accounting services to ensure you’re getting the best deal. A specialized accountant can provide more tailored advice.
Avoid DIY Software: Be cautious when using generic tax software. These software programs are designed for simplicity rather than maximizing returns. Investing in a knowledgeable accountant is always a smart choice.

Kaneijah Zyir Bradley, stabbing, sister,

by Mary Spiller

January 20, 2024

Woman, 22, In North Carolina Arrested For Allegedly Fatally Stabbing 10-Year-Old Sister

Kaneijah Bradley has several other outstanding charges that she's awaiting court appearances for.

A North Carolina woman was arrested for allegedly killing her young 10-year-old sister in a fatal stabbing. Kaneijah Bradley was charged with the crime earlier this week.

According to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, police received reports of a missing child at a home in the 2000 block of Beaverdam Road. The mother who called the police told the responders that she found the 10-year-old little girl dead in the backyard with multiple stab wounds.

According to the sheriff’s office, Kaneijah, the child’s 22-year-old sibling, was suspected of being the culprit.

She was arrested and remanded to Halifax County jail with no bond. Although the motive for the stabbing hasn’t been specified, Kaneijah has been arrested in the past for being involved in a stabbing. She was charged with assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend in April of last year. She was later charged with inflicting serious injury and larceny of a motor vehicle in her escape from the scene. Her boyfriend told police that while he and Kaneijah were driving, she suddenly drew a box cutter and began slashing him. When he got out of the car to get away from her, Kaneijah drove off and left him bleeding on the side of the road. She was found later covered in blood with the box cutter still on her person.

In another unrelated incident, Kaneijah was arrested and charged with “simple assault, assault with a deadly weapon against a law enforcement official, and resisting an officer.”

She’s set to appear in court for her most recent charge on Jan. 25 and another a few days later for the April incident. In February, she has one court appearance for her other outstanding charges.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office and contact Lieutenant R. Somogyi. Their phone number is (252) 583-8201.

American Airlines, Sued, Discrimination, passenger, Odor

by Rafael Pena

January 20, 2024

American Airlines Flight Attendant Faces Federal Charges For Child Pornography

An American Airlines flight attendant allegedly used a concealed iPhone in the bathroom to record video.

American Airlines flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III is facing federal child pornography charges after being accused of attempting to secretly record a 14-year-old girl in an airplane restroom, according to CNN. Thompson, 36, was arrested in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Jan. 18, charged with attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor.

Jodi Cohen, the special agent in charge of FBI Boston, condemned the alleged actions, stating, “What Mr. Thompson is accused of doing is disgraceful, and we believe, calculated, given that this alleged conduct occurred on at least five flights.”

The incident occurred in September during a flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Boston. Thompson is accused of directing the 14-year-old girl to use the first-class lavatory, where he had allegedly concealed his iPhone to record her. The girl discovered red stickers with inscriptions like “INOPERATIVE CATERING EQUIPMENT” and “SEAT BROKEN” under the toilet seat lid.

“It is alleged that, beneath the red stickers, Thompson had concealed his iPhone to record a video,” the release said.

After taking pictures of the stickers and the concealed phone, the girl reported the incident to her parents, who informed the flight attendants. The pilot was notified upon reaching Boston, and the girl’s father confronted Thompson, who locked himself in the restroom for several minutes. Police suspect he may have attempted to erase evidence from his phone.

A subsequent search of Thompson’s suitcase revealed 11 stickers similar to those found in the restroom. Additionally, police discovered four recordings on his iCloud account depicting minors between the ages of 7 and 14 using the plane’s restroom, along with photos of a 9-year-old and images of child pornography generated by artificial intelligence.

After the incident, American Airlines promptly withheld Thompson from service, stating, “We take these allegations very seriously. They do not reflect our airline or our core mission of caring for people. We have been fully cooperating with law enforcement in its investigation, as there is nothing more important than the safety and security of our customers and team.”

Thompson will remain in custody until his court date in the Western District of Virginia and subsequently faces federal court in Boston. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison for attempted sexual exploitation of children and up to 20 years for possession of child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor, with both charges carrying the possibility of supervised release, fines up to $250,000, and restitution.

by Daniel Johnson

January 20, 2024

Black Firefighters In Chicago Call For Justice On MLK Day

On Jan 15, Michael Taqee and other members of the Lewis Class held a press conference discussing their grievances and connected Dr. King’s fight against inequality to their own

On Martin Luther King Day, Black firefighters in Chicago seized the opportunity to highlight their ongoing struggle for denied promotions. The “Lewis Class,” consisting of 117 Black firefighters in the city, named after the Lewis v. City of Chicago lawsuit, which found the city violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in 2005 due to discriminatory hiring practices, is rekindling the fight initiated by its namesake. According to the Chicago Tribune, former firefighter Michael Taqee expressed that an admissions practice from the 1990s adversely impacted his chances of securing a promotion before being compelled to retire by the city. Taqee explained to the Tribune, “It was a race to the finish line, so I knew that I would never be afforded the opportunity to get promoted, so I decided to leave early. I wanted to chase dreams before I got too old to chase them.”

On Jan. 15, Taqee and other members of the Lewis class held a press conference to discuss their grievances and connect Dr. King’s fight against inequality to their own. Rodney Shelton, an engineer for the Chicago Fire Department, cut said at the press conference, “From my perspective on King, he fought for civil rights. This was a civil rights case, and even with what we thought was a great outcome, you still have hills and valleys.” Shelton added, “People fought for us, and now we’re going to continue that fight.”

According to attorney Chiquita Hall-Jackson, who is representing the firefighters, the first Black firefighter in the Lewis class was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in August. Hall-Jackson said that the disparity in promotions between the Lewis class and other academy classes of Black firefighters indicates change must take place. “That’s what we’re here for, and that’s why now the harm has been shown, because exams have been taken and these individuals have been harmed because they don’t get the actual seniority points that they were required to get and are entitled to.”

The motion the firefighters are bringing primarily concerns the use of seniority in promotions tests, and because some of the firefighters were excluded from being hired in the 1990s, it makes it hard for them to overcome the 30% weight assigned to seniority and become promoted to ranks such as lieutenant, captain, or battalion chief. In 1995, around 26,000 potential firefighters took a written exam to become firefighters. However, because the City of Chicago only had several hundred jobs available, it cut those scoring 88 or below from consideration. The result of this arbitrary cut-off number was a process that discriminated against Black and other minority applicants.

U.S. District Judge Joan Gottschall ruled in 2005 that the test created a “disparate impact” because the city did not justify the cut-off score. For its part, the city agreed with the judge’s decision that it was discriminatory but argued it was necessary due to the high volume of applicants. Though the city did not appeal Judge Gottschall’s ruling, it asserted that the firefighters waited too long to bring a suit. However, the Supreme Court disagreed with their assertion in 2010.

Shelton sees their case as an extension of the earlier case. “This right here is a continuation of a case that started in 1998,” Shelton said. “We saw it firsthand after we took our first promotion exam.”

As Audacy reported, Hall-Jackson says that at its heart, her clients’ case is about justice, saying, “They will never see an opportunity to get promoted before they are aged out of the department. These firefighters are asking for justice as it relates to their seniority and their pay, and their ability to be promoted in the workplace.”

According to Hall-Jackson, the city has until Jan. 31 to respond to the filing from November.

by Daniel Johnson

January 20, 2024

Disappearance Of Six In St. Louis May Be Connected To Suspected Online Cult

They went missing after reportedly becoming involved with an online cult run from a Georgia prison by convicted sex offender Rashad Jamal.

Authorities in St. Louis, Missouri, believe that the disappearance of six people, including two toddlers, is linked to an online cult. As Fox 2 reported, 24-year-old Mikayla Thompson, 29-year-old Naaman Williams, 28-year-old Gerriele German, 2-year-old Ashton Williams, 35-year-old Ma’Kayla Wickerson, and 3-year-old Malaiyah Wickerson all went missing after reportedly getting involved with an online cult run by convicted sex offender Rashad Jamal.

Police say Jamal is currently serving an 18-year sentence in Georgia for child molestation as well as a 22-year probation term that will begin once his incarceration ends. Jamal has disputed the terms of those sentences, releasing a video on YouTube in which he said, “The only law I have broken was speaking out against oppression.” He also said, “The only thing I am guilty of is freeing the minds of my people and speaking out against this system, and I’ll never back down from that.”

Initial reports on the cult from Fox 2 did not indicate its name but provided details from Cartisha Morgan, mother of Ma’Kayla Wickerson, who said her daughter had abruptly cut off communication with her family, quit her job, and maxed out her credit cards. Morgan, who hasn’t heard from Wickerson or her granddaughter since March 2023, made several calls requesting a welfare check and assistance from child services, but nothing came of them.

Morgan described her attempts at contacting child services. “I was trying to let them know that something was not right,” she said. “Mental illness is real. Manipulation is real. There are a lot of things going on out here, and we just need to be aware of it.”

Berkeley Police Major Steve Runge, who has been investigating the group’s disappearance for close to five months, told the outlet, “Neighbors reported seeing these people [outside Nickerson’s residence] daily, worshiping the sun. When it was raining, they would come outside naked and run around the yard. They were digging up things in the yard.”

Runge said the cult’s core beliefs included polygamy, distrust of the government, and an off-the-grid lifestyle.

According to investigators, Jamal’s rhetoric “includes a mix of polygamy, sovereign citizenship, ancient mythology, and cosmic universe beliefs.”

Reports from NBC News established that the cult Jamal runs is called the University of Cosmic Intelligence, and its website declares that it is “GEARED TOWARDS ENLIGHTENING AND ILLUMINATING THE MINDS OF THE CARBONATED BEINGS A.K.A YOUR SO CALLED BLACK & LATINO PEOPLE OF EARTH.”

Shelita Gibson, who like Morgan is missing her daughter and grandchild, told KDSK that she is concerned for their safety. “I would like to know that they’re OK so that I can get a good night’s sleep,” Gibson said. “I would like to know they’re not hungry, they’re not cold, that no one is making her do things that she would have to pay for in the long run.”

Dr. Steven Hassan, a mental health expert and an expert on cults, offered his interpretation of Jamal’s teachings.

“I’ve developed a model called the BITE model of mind control. It stands for behavior control, information control, thought control, and emotional control,” said Hassan. “It’s very common for people to disappear when they get recruited, and it’s very common for them to be given phobias, irrational fears and to believe that their family isn’t good or they’re satanic or demonic or low-frequency or whatever. In other words, in the person’s mind, their loved ones are no longer viewed as loved ones. And that’s part of the mind hack that happens.”

Morgan just wants her family members, as well as the other missing parties, to reach out and let someone know they are safe and sound.

“I know that people have many different opinions of things, but if it was their family member, everybody wants to know that their family members is OK” said Morgan. “If [Wickerson] chooses to stay or not, I just want to know that her and my granddaughter are safe. If she can, just contact us and let us know.”

migrants, Chicago, bus company, Texas, lawsuit

by Rafael Pena

January 20, 2024

Texas Bus Company Sues Chicago Over Migrant Ordinance

The ordinance's measures include potential "seizure and impoundment" of buses, and $3,000 fines for unloading migrant passengers outside designated hours and locations.

Wynne Transportation LLC, a Texas-based bus company, has initiated legal action against the city of Chicago, challenging the constitutionality of an ordinance that imposes restrictions on dropping off migrants, according to CNN. The lawsuit, which was filed Jan. 5, contends that the Chicago ordinance violates both the U.S. Constitution and the Illinois Constitution, and seeks declaratory judgment and injunctive relief from the city.

The December ordinance imposes stringent measures, including potential “seizure and impoundment” of buses, $3,000 fines, and towing and storage fees for unloading migrant passengers outside designated hours and locations without a permit. Bus companies are also required to provide advance notice and obtain approval from the city before dropping migrants off at designated landing zones.

Wynne Transportation contends that the ordinance hampers migrants’ entry into Chicago by imposing excessive requirements and harsh penalties. The company also says the ordinance infringes on constitutional rights and impedes migrants from reaching their desired destination in Chicago.

The lawsuit asserts that the ordinance violates the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution and interferes with the federal government’s authority to set immigration policy. It also alleges a violation of the Illinois Constitution’s prohibition of special legislation.

“This case is about allowing immigrants the opportunity to call Chicago home,” states the lawsuit, which also emphasizes the broader implications for migrants seeking sanctuary in that city.

Attorney Mike Kozlowski, who’s representing Wynne Transportation, expressed surprise at Chicago’s enforcement of an ordinance he considers unconstitutional. “I’m a little surprised, quite frankly, to see that the city has passed an ordinance, which is so clearly unconstitutional, and then is aggressively pursuing enforcement of that ordinance by filing 95 different lawsuits against these companies.”

The legal dispute unfolds against the backdrop of Texas Governor Greg Abbott busing nearly 30,000 migrants to Chicago since summer 2022, despite Chicago being a sanctuary city.

The bus company is not only seeking injunctive relief but also compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, and costs. The case highlights the complexities and legal challenges arising from the intersection of state and local regulations in the context of immigration and sanctuary city policies.

by Daniel Johnson

January 20, 2024

The FBI Attempted To Honor Dr. Martin Luther King And Got Absolutely Destroyed On Social Media

Users noted that the FBI was involved in surveillance, the discrediting of King’s work, and attempts to stop him from organizing.

The FBI attempted to join the chorus of individuals and groups remembering the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a post on X/Twitter on Jan. 15. However, the organization’s post would soon be served with a fact-checker’s version of a clapback. Using the social media platform’s Community Notes feature, users pointed out that the FBI had been involved in surveillance, the discrediting of King’s work, and attempts to stop him from organizing, before finally noting that the King family believed the FBI was responsible for his death.

The FBI tweeted, “This MLKDay, the FBI honors one of the most prominent leaders of the Civil Rights movement and reaffirms its commitment to Dr. King’s legacy of fairness and equal justice for all.”

This #MLKDay, the #FBI honors one of the most prominent leaders of the Civil Rights movement and reaffirms its commitment to Dr. King’s legacy of fairness and equal justice for all. pic.twitter.com/tj9EUoXsFK
— FBI (@FBI) January 15, 2024

Underneath the post was a community note reading, “The FBI engaged in surveillance of King, attempted to discredit him, and used manipulation tactics to influence him to stop organizing. King’s family believe the FBI was responsible for his death.”

Users of the platform also rated the note as helpful, saying it was a clear and concise rebuttal of the FBI’s post.

Your annual reminder that the FBI targeted MLK for years and tried to drive him to suicide. https://t.co/jBCXl5YFvr pic.twitter.com/72ZQjXHDmb
— Gritty is the Way (@Gritty20202) January 15, 2024

One of the sources cited in the community note is a January 2021 article about Sam Pollard’s documentary regarding the FBI’s attempts to discredit King during 1968. MLK/FBI, Pollard said at the time, was about J. Edgar Hoover’s paranoia and preoccupation with discrediting King and his associates: “The first fear that [FBI director J. Edgar Hoover] had was that King was going to align himself with the Communist Party, which … J. Edgar Hoover was obsessed with destroying.”

Pollard also commented on an anonymous letter sent to King that appeared to have been written by someone close to King. “They were trying to make it sound like it was not only a former associate but a ‘Negro’ who wrote that letter,” said Pollard. “This is supposed to be the nation’s police, that’s supposed to be doing the right thing, and this is the lengths they’ll go to destroy a human being? It’s awful.”

A reminder that Abbott’s rhetoric was cited in the El Paso massacre shooter’s manifesto found after he brutally murdered over 20 people in an act of white nationalist violence. Despite apologizing at the time, Abbott has since, in word and deed, perpetuated that racist violence. https://t.co/W8eJxohINZ
— Ari Sawyer (@AriMSawyer) January 15, 2024

A second, older source cited a CBS News report from 1999, in which Coretta Scott King responded to a jury that determined Dr. King was the victim of a vast conspiracy against his life and not merely the actions of lone shooter James Earl Ray. Scott King implored the Justice Department to take up a new investigation into her husband’s murder, telling CBS’ “Early Show” anchor Bryant Gumbel, “I think that if people will look at the evidence that we have, it’s conclusive and I think the Justice Department has a responsibility to do what it feels is the right thing to do, the just thing to do.”

Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is often reduced to a single 'dream' quote, but on this MLK Day, let's remember Dr. King as the outspoken leftist, socialist, & antiwar activist that he actually was, not the depoliticized man many today want him to be:pic.twitter.com/8C2SQVxx0f
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) January 16, 2024

Dexter King, a son of Dr. King, led his family‘s search for the truth, telling CBS News at the time, “It’s been painful and also has been bittersweet. Bitter because of the tragedy, obviously, but liberating in the sense and sweet that we have been vindicated and ultimately that the significant of this historical verdict that really rewrites history is liberating. Now we can move on with our lives, have a sense of closure and healing.”

HuffPost contacted the FBI’s national press office for comment and received a statement from the organization reading, “The FBI has long acknowledged the abuses of power that took place under Director J. Edgar Hoover and the deplorable actions taken against Dr. King and others involved in the civil rights movement. Today, the FBI honors Dr. King’s life and legacy and uses those lessons from our past to reaffirm our commitment to equal justice, fairness, and diversity.”

Users on X/Twitter didn’t seem to buy the FBI’s attempts at honoring King. Nor were others with questionable commitments to the social justice espoused by the Civil Rights icon spared. President Joe Biden, Senator Mitch McConnell, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott were among the political figures who tweeted MLK posts and received pointed commentary from users on the social media platform.

livestreamed murder, Birmingham, young mother, three charged

by Rafael Pena

January 20, 2024

Judge Denies Speedy Trial Request For White Woman Accused Of Fatally Shooting Black Neighbor In Florida Dispute

Marion County, Florida’s Susan Lorincz, 59, faced a setback in her legal proceedings when a judge rejected her request for a speedy trial during a court appearance on Jan. 18, according to WESH. Lorincz, who is white, is charged with manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of her neighbor, Ajike Owens, a Black 35-year-old mother of four from Ocala, Florida, on June 2, 2023. The shooting was allegedly a culmination of a prolonged dispute over where Owens’ children played outside.

Originally scheduled for trial in November 2023, Lorincz’s case was postponed to June 2024 after her defense team sought additional time for deposition scheduling.

Lorincz’s request for a speedy trial was responded to in court this week, and it was made known that she had written a personal letter to the judge instead of filing a proper motion.

In her letter, Lorincz cited inadequate care in jail as well as ongoing medical issues. During the proceedings, her attorney asserted that she was not prepared for trial and did not recommend a speedy one. The judge concurred with the attorney and advised Lorincz to heed her legal counsel. She could potentially file for a speedy trial later, but no such request has been made at this time. Pretrial activities remain scheduled for June.

The tragic incident occurred when Owens was fatally shot through a locked door after approaching Lorincz to address a previous altercation. Investigators reported that the dispute began when Lorincz allegedly threw a pair of skates at one of Owens’ children.

Bodycam footage captured the chaotic aftermath as deputies arrived at the scene on SW 108th Lane. Lorincz was handcuffed, and a voice off-camera could be heard urging Owens to wake up.

Prior to the shooting, neighbors had reported several altercations between Lorincz and Owens, with claims that Lorincz would insult and use slurs at Owens’ children as they played in a common area she believed to be hers.

Cleveland Council, Tanisha's Law, Mental Health Crises, police

by Mary Spiller

January 20, 2024

Disabled Atlanta Teen Reported Missing In DeKalb County

Shawn Ward takes medication several times a day for a condition called fragile X syndrome.

A disabled 17-year-old boy has gone missing in Atlanta’s DeKalb County. The nonverbal teen, whose name is Shawn Ward, takes medication regularly for his condition; authorities in the area say that locating him is high priority.

DeKalb police, as reported by Fox 5 Atlanta, said that Ward was last seen on Jan. 18 at 9 p.m. near the 1000 block of North Hairston Road in Decatur.

Ward is around 5 feet tall and weighs 134 pounds, according to his family. The clothes he was last seen wearing were a black sweatshirt that read “Billion Status” on the front of it, gray sweatpants, and a pair of gold Nike sneakers with no laces.

Ward is required to take medication several times a day because he was diagnosed with fragile X syndrome, or FXS. Despite being 17, he has the IQ of a child between the ages of 7 and 9.

The DeKalb Police Department reiterated important information on its Facebook page and again requested help in locating the boy. The department wrote, “Help us find Shawn Ward, 17, who was last seen 1/18 at his home near 1000 N. Hairston Rd in Stone Mountain. He’s 5ft, 134 Ibs. w/ brown eyes & black hair. He was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt with ‘Billionaire Status’ on the front, gray sweatpants, & Nike sneakers with no laces. If you see him call 911 or SVU at 770-724-7710. #WeAreDKPD.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FXS is a genetic disorder that causes protein deficiencies in children. While boys and girls can develop FXS, it tends to be more severe in boys. Symptoms include not sitting, walking, or talking at the same time as other children the same age, learning disabilities, and social and behavioral problems.

by Rafael Pena

January 20, 2024

Costco Says No More Membership Sharing, Pilots New Technology To Tackle Problem

Costco will now match members to their cards at the door prior to shopping.

Costco, the popular shopping club, is exploring measures to curb membership-sharing practices where individuals without an annual membership capitalize on paying members. Traditionally, Costco members show their cards at store entrances for access, and while memberships are nontransferable, households can obtain one extra membership card. With basic membership costing $60 annually and an executive membership, offering perks like a 2% cash-back reward, priced at $120 per year, the club is testing a strategy to address the issue, according to Fortune.

In an effort to combat membership sharing, Costco is initiating a trial whereby shoppers are required to scan their membership cards at store entrances. This move follows the introduction of self-checkout registers At Costco, which have created opportunities for nonmembers to slip through undetected. A Costco spokesperson explained the purpose of the test was “to match members to their cards at the door prior to shopping for an improved member experience.”

Last summer Costco implemented a new policy requiring its shoppers to present their photo identification along with their physical membership card at its self-checkout registers, aligning with the existing practice at regular checkout lanes supervised by staff. Costco emphasized the importance of ensuring that its nonmembers did not receive the same benefits and pricing as its legitimate members.

Photos of the new system in action were shared on Reddit by a shopper who witnessed the technology at a store in Issaquah, Washington, where Costco is headquartered. A sign placed near a scanner notifies shoppers, “You will be asked to scan your membership card before entering the warehouse,” while a store worker oversees the process.

With 871 warehouses globally, including 600 in the United States, Costco’s trial reflects its commitment to maintaining the exclusivity of membership benefits and preventing unauthorized access. The outcome could shape how the club addresses membership-sharing challenges across its extensive network of locations.