How to Spot Trademark Scams

If you’ve applied for a trademark, you might become the target of a trademark scam. These fraudsters can be extremely convincing. They prey on small business owners, entrepreneurs, and startups who may not be familiar with how the trademark process works.

Some scammers send official-looking emails. Others pretend to call from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Many use fear tactics to pressure you into paying fake fees or handing over personal information. Their goal? To steal your money—or worse, hijack your trademark.

In this post, we’ll walk you through how to spot the most common trademark scams, what a legitimate USPTO communication looks like, and how to protect yourself and your brand.

Why Scammers Target Trademark Owners

Once your application becomes public, anyone—including scammers—can see your contact information. That’s how they find you. Then they strike quickly, often pretending to be from the USPTO. They’ll say something’s wrong with your application or that you owe a fee immediately—or risk losing your trademark.

They often use:

Fake emails that look official
Caller IDs that say “USPTO”
Domain names that closely mimic USPTO.gov

Some even use the names of real USPTO employees to sound more credible.

Red Flags to Watch For

Scammers use a few tried-and-true tactics. Here’s what to look out for:

Fake urgency: They claim you’ll lose your rights unless you act fast.
Requests for strange payments: USPTO will never ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or checks to third parties.
Suspicious email addresses: Official emails from USPTO always end in @uspto.gov.
Password requests: No one should ever ask for your USPTO.gov login. Not even your attorney.
“USPTO-sounding” company names: Be cautious of names like “Trademark Renewal Bureau” or “Patent and Trademark Agency.” They are not affiliated with the USPTO.

Common Trademark Scams

Spoofed Websites and Emails

Scammers copy the look of USPTO.gov to fool you. Their websites might include real-looking logos and links—but the domain name is slightly off. Check every letter of the website address. If it doesn’t end in .gov, it’s not the real deal.

Emails can be just as sneaky. They may contain your application number, trademark name, and even fake “email chains” from USPTO attorneys asking for payment. Again, if it doesn’t come from @uspto.gov, it’s not official.

Fake Phone Calls

You might get a call from someone claiming to be a USPTO rep. They might use the name of a real examiner and demand a payment or claim your application is at risk. The USPTO does not call to collect payments—ever.

Misleading Mail Notices

Some scams arrive the old-fashioned way—via mail. You might receive a letter that looks official, telling you it’s time to renew or pay a maintenance fee. But the fine print will usually say the company isn’t affiliated with the government.

Unauthorized Changes to Your Trademark Info

Some scammers file to change the contact email in your trademark record. This gives them control over your trademark verification codes on brand registry platforms like Amazon or Walmart. Once they receive those codes, they can pose as the trademark owner.

Fraudulent Trademark Filings

These include:

Fake signatures (someone signing your name)
Bogus specimens (digitally altered product images)
Overstated goods/services (listing items you don’t actually sell to broaden trademark protection)

Falling for a trademark scam can have serious consequences, even if you weren’t aware of the issue at the time. If a scam leads to incorrect, unauthorized, or misleading information being submitted with your application—such as fake specimens, overbroad goods, or changes to your contact details—it could trigger an audit, delay your application, or even result in cancellation after registration.

The USPTO treats these issues seriously to protect the integrity of the trademark register, so it’s essential to work with trusted professionals and carefully review all filings tied to your name.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Brand

Here are a few quick steps to help keep your trademark safe:

Always double-check TSDR: The official Trademark Status & Document Retrieval system shows real USPTO updates. If a notice isn’t listed there, it’s probably fake.
Ignore scare tactics: If you’re being pressured to act fast or lose your rights, pause and verify first.
Use official channels: The USPTO only communicates from @uspto.gov and official .gov websites.
Monitor your mark: Set up alerts or hire a monitoring service (like ours) to watch for suspicious activity tied to your trademark.
Work with trusted professionals: If you’re hiring help, make sure the company has real experience and access to a U.S.-licensed attorney (if needed).

Why Trademark Research Still Matters

Scammers thrive when business owners don’t fully understand the trademark process. That’s why comprehensive trademark research is critical—not only at the start but throughout the life of your trademark.

Comprehensive trademark research includes multiple layers:

Federal trademarks: Checking both active registrations and pending applications in the USPTO’s database ensures you know what’s officially on record nationwide.
State trademarks: Each state has its own trademark registry. These can include rights that don’t show up in federal searches but still matter, especially for local businesses.
Common law usage: Many businesses establish trademark rights simply by using a name in commerce—even without registration. These unregistered rights can still block your trademark or lead to oppositions. Because of this, it’s crucial to search beyond official databases. Exploring business directories, social media platforms, domain name registrations, and web content helps uncover unregistered trademarks that might pose risks. Small or local companies often rely on these unregistered rights, so overlooking them can lead to surprises later.

Comprehensive searches also look for potential confusion based on:

Sound: Names that are pronounced similarly, like “BrightWave” and “BriteWave.”
Appearance: Visual likenesses, such as “Green Leaf” and “Grean Leef.”
Meaning: Different words conveying the same idea, like “Rapid Fitness” and “Fast Fitness.”
Related goods or services: Even if the marks differ, they can still conflict when used in connected markets—like “Sunny Trails” for hiking boots and “Sunny Trails” for outdoor backpacks.

Many business owners think a trademark search is simply about seeing if a name is available. But in reality, a thorough trademark search digs much deeper. It helps uncover potential conflicts that could cause costly delays, rejections, or legal challenges down the road.

Why Monitoring Matters After Your Trademark Is Filed

Scammers and competitors often look for new filings to challenge or copy. That’s why the work doesn’t stop once your trademark is registered. Ongoing trademark monitoring keeps an eye on newly filed trademarks that might conflict with yours or attempt to ride on your brand’s reputation.

Monitoring lets you spot potential threats early—whether it’s someone trying to register a confusingly similar name or fraudulent filings aimed at your trademark rights. Combined with thorough research at the start, consistent monitoring helps protect your brand throughout its lifetime, giving you peace of mind and a stronger defense against infringement or scams.

Investing in comprehensive trademark research and ongoing monitoring saves you time, money, and headaches. It helps you avoid surprises, legal battles, and costly oppositions—keeping your brand safe and secure for the long haul.

Need Help Navigating the Trademark Process?

At TradeMark Express, we don’t just do research. We protect your trademark from day one—and help you avoid costly scams along the way. Our comprehensive searches and monitoring services give you peace of mind that your brand is safe, your filings are legit, and your name is truly yours.

Worried about scams or unsure if something is real? Let’s talk.
Reach out today for trusted guidance from experts who’ve been doing this for over 30 years.

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Shannon Moore