Callers claiming to work for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are requesting fees for trademark applications.
Grand Rapids attorney April Li of the Mika Meyers law firm says West Michigan is a prime target because the area is known for its invention and entrepreneurial spirit, a hotbed for trademark and patent holders.
Li is concerned that many of them could fall prey to the scam on two fronts; targeting trademark applicants and those who are required to regularly file documents maintaining their patent.
“If you don't file it, you might lose your trademark, right, and that is, from my perspective, I think that's why the scammers did successfully trick some trademark owners.”
The scammers also use a tactic called “spoofing” to make it look like the call is coming from a legitimate phone number.
“They have been spoofing the number that's actually being used by USPTO so this creates a public concern that trademark owners might not be able to tell whether this call is legit or it's a scam.”
Li recommends double-checking with the attorney who filed the original paperwork before giving any information or sending any payments.
