Top five trademark scams targeting small businesses

You’ve worked hard to build your business and brand. Applying for a federal trademark registration is an important step in protecting it. But scammers know this too. Small business owners who have applied for a trademark registration are being increasingly targeted by sophisticated trademark scams.

Whether scammers impersonate the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), pressure you to act quickly, or demand fake fees, their goal is to steal your money and personal information.

Let’s look at the top five scams you’re most likely to see, how to spot them, and what to do to protect your business.

USPTO impersonation scams

Scammers impersonate USPTO employees and quickly pressure you to make a payment, usually by phone or email. They may claim you need to verify information, confirm an upcoming deadline, or schedule an interview. Their messages often include fake appointment numbers.

If the USPTO reaches out to you, double-check. It might be a scammer in disguise.

• • The USPTO doesn’t schedule verification or interview calls.
  • We don’t ask for personal or financial information over the phone.
  • Any demand for payment via phone, a link, or third-party service is a red flag.

Email and phone call spoofing

Scammers spoof caller ID or create email addresses that look like they’re from the USPTO. Emails often include “USPTO,” but use domains like “@usptoexaminer.net” instead of the official “@uspto.gov.” The message may look legitimate, but the real sender changes when you hit “reply.”

What you see isn’t always who’s contacting you. Spoofing can make anything look official.

Read more about spoofed calls that impersonate the USPTO.

Scam fee requests

Scammers send official-looking letters or emails claiming you owe unexpected fees. They invent charges, like adaptation fees, or even fees owed to other agencies, like the Department of Commerce or your Secretary of State. Their notices warn you’ll lose your trademark if you don’t pay immediately.

Pause before you respond. Urgent fee demands signal a scam.

Abandoned application scam

Scammers target abandoned trademark applications, claiming another applicant has filed for your trademark and pressuring you to respond immediately to protect your rights.

Abandoned applications aren’t active. If you’re not reviving it or filing a new one, urgent warnings about losing your rights are a sign of a scam.

Post-registration fees charged as part of initial application filing

Scammers claim post-registration fees are due even while your trademark is still in the application stage. They cite details like Sections 8, 9, 15, 71 or reference non-existent fees or ones that are only paid after registration.

If someone demands post-registration fees before your trademark is registered, it’s likely a scam. Don’t pay or respond.

Know how to monitor your application

Once you apply, you can look up your application in the USPTO’s Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system to:

• • Check if you’ve been assigned an examining attorney.
  • See who your assigned examining attorney is and their contact information.
  • Review official USPTO notices, statuses, upcoming fees and deadlines, and other communications.

Check official USPTO trademark fees on the USPTO.gov website. Pay fees only through the USPTO.gov website.

Avoiding scams during the trademark registration process is easier when you know what to watch for. Rely on official USPTO resources like TSDR and USPTO.gov, double-check any requests for payment or personal information, and stay informed. If you are still concerned, email the USPTO’s Trademark Assistance Center at TrademarkAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov. These simple steps help protect your brand and your business. Want to learn more about what to watch out for? Read more about recognizing common trademark scams.