Collect any evidence you can, such as copies of solicitations, emails, receipts, and screenshots of transactions. Official communications in Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR) could be included as evidence. Also, you can use the Trademark Decisions and Proceedings search tool to see if your application has been impacted by an attorney or entity that has received an administrative order.
Use the following checklist to take action against your scammer:
- Email TMScams@uspto.gov. We have a task force investigating suspicious activity.
- Contact your financial institutions, such as your bank or credit card company, to determine if you can dispute the charges.
- If you are concerned about the validity of your application or registration, or the conduct of any of the entities involved in your application or registration, consult with a private U.S.-licensed attorney knowledgeable about trademark law to evaluate your application or registration.
- File a consumer complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) immediately. The more information you provide, the more they can use to build cases against scammers.
- If you receive a spoofed phone call, file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission.
- Contact your state consumer protection authorities and your state’s Attorney General. Most states have the authority to investigate companies involved in deceptive solicitations.
- File a consumer complaint with the Better Business Bureau and monitor your credit on a regular basis.
- If you received legal advice or representation from a person who is not an attorney, report the unauthorized practice of law to your state bar association.
- If you believe an attorney may have been involved in a scam, please email the Office of Enrollment and Discipline at OED@uspto.gov.
Learn what steps to take if your application is suspended in a fraud investigation.