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Mandatory Verification Appointment is the Latest Trademark Scam

Carrie A. Johnson
4/13/26

Hand underlining words fraud alert with an unlocked padlock image.Trademark owners face yet another scam, e-mails purporting a necessary verification meeting with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO).  E-mails appear legitimate and may even show a sender e-mail address of uspto.gov.  However, mousing over the e-mail address shows an entirely different e-mail address.

The USPTO does not require verification appointments.  Nor does it require attorneys confirm business information of a trademark owner, including personal and financial details.  In addition, if time urgent language is used, such as act now or you will lose your trademark protection, it’s a red flag. 

The USPTO explains ways to spot common scams on its website.  To date verification appointment e-mails are not listed, but that may change as more trademark owners receive these fraudulent e-mails.

If you have any questions regarding communications you receive purporting to be from the USPTO, please contact Ms. Johnson.

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Disclaimer: This alert has been prepared by Eastman & Smith Ltd. for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney/client relationship.

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