Recent Trademark Scams: What to Watch for & What to Do Next

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United States Patent and Trademark (USPTO) records are public which allows Trademark scammers to target applicants for new and existing trademark applications and registrations. The most common plays include attempting to trick you into paying fake “government fees”, messages that pretend your application has a problem, and messages that pretend a third-party is filing for the same mark that you just abandoned.  Some scammers also pretend to be licensed attorneys and offer to file your trademark application for low initial fees but these applications may contain errors that cannot be fixed once the trademark application is filed A few practical habits (verifying messages in the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) tool, checking sender details, and locking down application contact info) can prevent expensive delays.

When you file a trademark application, your contact details become easy to find because most of the details included in the application are publicly available.  That visibility creates a predictable pattern: a wave of emails and letters that look official, sound urgent, and try to separate you from your money or your filing. Some offer “help.” Others demand money. The most dangerous ones retain control of your application and prevent you from controlling your own trademark application.

How Scammers Turn Public Data Into Leverage

Because trademark filings are public, scammers can copy your serial number, filing date, goods and/or services and mark into emails and invoices that look convincing. Many of these scams claim you must pay fees to the FTC or other government bodies to “complete” or “activate” a filing.

Others go further. During the application process, they pretend to be attorneys representing you, take your money, and then file trademark forms listing themselves as both “attorney of record” and the primary applicant contact. They insert their own email and phone number in place of yours, so USPTO notices never reach you. You can’t see new filings, can’t respond to refusals, and can’t appoint a real attorney. Your mark sits there, effectively held hostage.

In response to widespread abuse like this, the USPTO has terminated tens of thousands of tainted applications in large batches, including actions affecting more than 5,500 filings (January, 2022) and more than 52,000 filings (August, 2025), to clean up its register and attempt to push applications filed by scammers out of the system.

Red Flags in Trademark Emails and Offers

Authentic USPTO emails sent directly to you comes from an address ending in @uspto.gov, not .com, .org, or a firm-branded domain. The message should also appear in your file in the Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR) system. If it isn’t in TSDR, treat it with suspicion.

The USPTO does not ask you to confirm that you abandoned your application, and it does not text you reminders to respond to office actions. The USPTO does send you a reminder that a maintenance filing is due when your trademark has been registered for five years.  Watch for emails like:

“Your trademark application has missing details and another party is pursuing a similar mark. We can fix this and add your logo—reply to proceed.”

This script creates false urgency, hints at a threat from a “similar” mark, and funnels you to a private service. Many of these operators then file sloppy or incorrect goods and services descriptions, which can cause an application to go abandoned.

What To Do If You’re Targeted

First, pause. Before paying anyone, look up your serial number in TSDR and review every recent document. If you don’t see the scary email or invoice in that record, you’re likely looking at a scam.

Next, use the USPTO’s “What to do if you’ve been scammed” page for a step-by-step checklist: gather emails and receipts, report suspicious activity to [email protected], and contact your bank or card issuer about disputing charges, if necessary. The FTC also runs a dedicated reporting portal for USPTO-related impersonation scams, which feeds their enforcement efforts.

A U.S.-licensed trademark attorney can review your application history, correct contact information, address any fake filings, repair bad goods and services descriptions, and pursue revival or refiling where possible. This restores control of your file and ensures future USPTO communication reaches someone whose job is to protect your brand.

Guard Your Trademark Before Scammers Grab It

War IP Law helps business owners secure their trademarks against scams and bad filings. The firm can audit your trademark application, identify unauthorized changes, fix correctable problems with goods and/or services, respond to real office actions, and advise on reviving or refiling applications damaged by fraud. If you’ve received a suspicious notice or feel locked out of your own trademark, call War IP Law at 202-952-4004 to put a qualified advocate between your brand and the scammers.

USTPO Scam FAQ

How can I tell if an intimidating email is real?

Look up the serial or registration number in TSDR and confirm the same communication appears in the record.

Do scammers really use my serial number and filing date?

Yes. Those details are public, and scammers copy them to create urgency and credibility.

What should I do my application contains and email address that I don’t recognize. 

Treat it as time-sensitive. Follow the USPTO’s scam steps (including reporting), then have a U.S.-licensed attorney restore correct correspondence fields and ensure you regain access to your trademark application.