The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a critical alert for business owners, entrepreneurs, and inventors. A sophisticated scam is targeting individuals seeking to protect their intellectual property, where criminals impersonate officials from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

How the Scam Works

This scheme preys on those who have recently filed for patents or trademarks. The scammers, armed with publicly available filing information, contact the business owners with official-looking (but fake) correspondence. These messages create a sense of urgency and fear, often demanding immediate payment for bogus fees to "finalize" or "protect" the filing.

To make their scam more convincing, these criminals have been caught using the names of real, legitimate trademark examining attorneys. This tactic lends a false air of authenticity to their communications, making it much harder for victims to spot the fraud.

Red Flags to Watch For

Protect your business by looking for these warning signs:

• Requests for Unexpected Payments: Be skeptical of any demand for fees that were not outlined in the official USPTO fee schedule.
• High-Pressure Tactics: Scammers will use urgent language, threatening the loss of your patent or trademark if you don't pay immediately. The USPTO's process is methodical and does not involve such threats.
• Unofficial Contact Methods: While scammers may use email, be wary if the "from" address is not from an official "@uspto.gov" domain.
• Suspicious Payment Methods: Demands for payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency are a huge red flag. The USPTO uses standard, secure payment systems.

How to Protect Your Business

If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the USPTO:

1. Do Not Pay: Do not send money or provide any financial information based on an unsolicited request.
2. Verify Independently: Contact the USPTO directly using the official contact information on their website (www.uspto.gov) to verify the legitimacy of any communication.
3. Report the Scam: Report the fraudulent contact to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.