Trademark Scams After Filing: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know
If you recently filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), you may soon start receiving official-looking emails, letters, and invoices.
Some will look urgent.
Some will look legitimate.
Some will even use government seals.
Many of them are scams.
As a trademark attorney, I routinely hear from business owners who have paid thousands of dollars to companies that have no affiliation with the USPTO — simply because the documents looked official.
Here’s what you need to know to protect your brand (and your wallet).
Why Trademark Applicants Are Targeted
When you file a trademark application, your information becomes public record in the USPTO database. That includes:
Your name
Business name
Mailing address
Email address
Scammers monitor new filings and send solicitations that appear to be required next steps.
They rely on confusion, urgency, and official-looking formatting.
Common Trademark Scams to Watch For
1. Fake USPTO Invoices
You may receive an invoice demanding payment for:
“Publication fees”
“Registration fees”
“International protection”
“Final approval fees”
The USPTO does not send invoices demanding payment after filing unless there is an official Office Action or required government fee — and those notices are issued through your USPTO account or to your attorney of record.
If you filed through an attorney, you should never receive separate invoices from third parties demanding payment.
2. Trademark Publication Scams
These letters claim your mark must be published in a “registry” or “catalog” to secure protection.
Examples include:
“United States Trademark Registry”
“Patent & Trademark Bureau”
“International Trademark Database”
These publications have no legal effect.
They are private companies charging hundreds or thousands of dollars for meaningless listings.
Your trademark is already published in the official USPTO publication system when it reaches the Official Gazette stage — and that is handled automatically.
3. Domain Name Purchase Scams
This one is increasingly common.
Shortly after filing your trademark application, someone may:
Purchase a domain name that matches your brand
Offer to sell it to you at an inflated price
Claim a “third party” is interested and you must act immediately
In some cases, the domain was purchased the same day the trademark application was filed.
While not always illegal, this practice is often predatory. It’s designed to pressure new business owners into paying more than necessary.
Strategic domain acquisition planning should be part of your trademark filing strategy — not something you react to in panic.
4. Trademark Monitoring Solicitations
You may receive offers for:
Trademark monitoring services
Renewal reminders
“Protection reports”
Global watch services
Some monitoring services are legitimate. Many are unnecessary, duplicative, or overpriced.
If you have counsel, your attorney should advise you whether monitoring is appropriate — and what level of protection actually makes sense for your business.
5. Emails That Appear to Be from the USPTO
Scammers often use:
Similar email domains
Official-looking logos
Language copied from government websites
The USPTO will not:
Call you demanding immediate payment
Threaten cancellation unless you wire money
Ask you to pay through third-party portals
Official USPTO emails typically come from a “.gov” domain.
When in doubt, verify through the USPTO website or contact your attorney directly.
How to Protect Yourself After Filing a Trademark
Work with a trademark attorney.
Having counsel of record dramatically reduces risk because official correspondence is sent directly to your attorney.Do not pay unsolicited invoices.
If you didn’t request the service, verify it before paying.Forward suspicious communications immediately.
A five-minute review by your attorney can save thousands of dollars.Secure your key domains early.
If your brand is important, your .com (and other relevant domains) should be part of your launch plan.Understand your real maintenance deadlines.
Federal trademark maintenance filings occur between:Years 5–6 after registration
Year 10 (and every 10 years thereafter)
Anything suggesting payment outside of those windows should be reviewed carefully.
What If You Already Paid a Trademark Scam?
If you’ve already paid:
Contact your bank or credit card company immediately.
Save copies of all communications.
Report the solicitation to the USPTO.
Consult with a trademark attorney to ensure your actual application is still secure.
In most cases, these scams do not affect your real trademark rights — but ignoring legitimate USPTO deadlines can.
Why Having a Trademark Lawyer Matters
Many business owners file on their own to save money — only to spend more responding to scams, Office Actions, or avoidable mistakes.
When our firm handles your trademark filing, we:
File strategically
Monitor official USPTO correspondence
Guide you through publication and registration
Advise you on legitimate next steps (and filter out the scams)
You should never have to wonder whether an invoice is real.
Need Help With a Trademark Filing or Suspicious Notice?
If you’ve received a suspicious trademark invoice or just filed your application and want to ensure you’re protected, we can help.
Katie Charleston Law, PC represents entrepreneurs, creators, and growing brands nationwide in trademark clearance, registration, and protection.
👉 Schedule a consultation to protect your brand the right way.