scammers use the names of real trademark examining attorneys
Business owners across the country are being warned about a troubling scam involving criminals impersonating the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The scheme targets those seeking to protect their intellectual property, using fear and urgency to trick them into sending money.
(FTC) – Business owners across the country are being warned about a troubling scam involving criminals impersonating the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The scheme targets those seeking to protect their intellectual property, using fear and urgency to trick them into sending money.
Victims report receiving phone calls, emails, or text messages that appear to come directly from the USPTO. The scammers often use the names of real trademark examining attorneys or display a fake USPTO seal to create a sense of legitimacy.
They claim that immediate payment is needed to complete an application, secure a trademark before another party registers it, or renew an existing mark. Payment is requested through credit or debit cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or gift cards.
While the communication may look official, it is not from the USPTO. Caller ID can be faked, and names of actual employees are misused. In reality, the USPTO never asks for payment information over the phone, through text messages, or by email. Nor does it demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or money app.
The safest way to confirm the status of an application is through the USPTO’s online Trademark Status and Document Retrieval tool. Additional assistance is available through the USPTO’s Trademark Assistance Center at 1-800-786-9199.
Officials urge anyone who receives suspicious calls or messages to report them immediately to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
More information on government impersonation scams is available at ftc.gov/imposters.