Protecting Your Brand: How to Avoid Trademark Scams

DEREK FAHEY, ESQ.

Trademark scams use fake emails, letters, invoices, and urgent warnings to persuade business owners to pay for services that do not exist or are not required.

What Is a Trademark Scam?

A scammer may send a fake bill, offer unnecessary “protection,” or claim that immediate payment is required to preserve a trademark. These messages are often designed to look official.

Warning Signs

• Urgent payment requests: Scammers often claim that a trademark will be lost unless payment is made immediately.
• Unexpected messages: Be cautious with unsolicited emails, calls, or letters.
• Unusually high fees: Compare the amount requested with official USPTO fees.
• Vague information: Legitimate notices should clearly identify the sender, the registration, and the purpose of the communication.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Verify the sender. Check the USPTO or the relevant official trademark office.
2. Ask a trademark attorney. Counsel can determine whether a notice is legitimate and whether action is actually required.
3. Train your team. Employees who receive brand-related correspondence should know how to recognize suspicious notices.
4. Report scams. Notify the trademark office or an appropriate consumer-protection agency.

Keep Your Trademark Safe

Monitor unauthorized use, secure domain names and social accounts, and track renewal and maintenance deadlines so fake notices are easier to identify.

Conclusion

Trademark scams can cost businesses time and money. Careful verification, internal training, and professional review are the best defenses.