Scam Alert: Fraudsters are Impersonating the United States Patent and Trademark Office to Defraud Business Owners

If you own a business, or know someone who does, you understand the importance of protecting intellectual property. Scammers are aware of this too, so they are impersonating the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to steal money from business owners.

How the Scam Works

According to a recent FTC alert, scammers contact businesses via phone calls, texts, or emails that appear to come from the Patent and Trademark Office in the US. They might even use the names of legitimate USPTO employees, such as a trademark examining attorney, and display what appears to be the agency’s phone number or seal.

Scammers then claim you need to act immediately to:

• Complete your trademark application before someone else registers it
• Pay a fee to renew an existing trademark
• Finalize approval of a recently granted trademark

Their primary goal is to pressure recipients into paying immediately, either via phone or by clicking a link. Required payment methods include wire transfers, payments apps or gift cards. It’s designed to trick you into disclosing sensitive information and handing over money.

How to Stay Safe

• Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can spoof phone numbers to look like they’re from the USPTO.
• Know how the USPTO operates. The office will never ask for payment by phone, text, or email, and they won’t demand unusual payment methods like gift cards or payment apps.
• Verify trademark status yourself. Use the USPTO’s Trademark Status and Document Retrieval tool to check the progress of applications and registrations. For help, contact the Trademark Assistance Center at 1-800-786-9199.

Strengthen Your Business’s Cyber Defenses

Scams like these can jeopardize both your finances and intellectual property. That’s why small business owners need more than just vigilance — they need comprehensive protection.

With Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security, you get:

• Advanced protection against phishing, spoofed emails, and scam links
• Real-time threat detection that stops scammers before they reach your business
• Centralized management so you can secure all employee devices without hassle
• Identity and data protection features to safeguard sensitive business information

By combining awareness with the right cybersecurity tools, you can keep your business safe from fraudsters who target hardworking entrepreneurs.