Spam phone calls, emails, and texts are nothing new – whether they involve highway tolls you supposedly owe, “tax resolution options,” alleged job recruiters, or a good old-fashioned Nigerian prince. But a trademark-themed scam is rising to the level that the federal government is warning people.
The Federal Trade Commission issued a notice this week to trademark filers to be leery of “urgent” calls, texts, and emails seeking payment. While the communications may appear to be from the USPTO or even impersonate examiners, they are scams.
The warning reminds applicants:
- Do not trust caller ID, because “caller ID can be faked.”
- The USPTO will never ask for payment info over the phone, by text, or in an email.
- You can check the status of your application at USPTO’s online Trademark Status and Document Retrieval tool, or you can visit the USPTO’s Trademark Assistance Center or call 1-800-786-9199.