Did you receive an email from @qualitytrademark.com about someone attempting to make a trademark registration on your brand? Beware! It’s a false story. Quality Trademark (qualitytrademark.com) is a fraudulent website set up by scammers pretending to offer Trademark Registration and Monitoring services.
Quality Trademark scam: How It Works
It’s a trademark registration scam that use false story and threats of copyright infringement to make business owners pay for fake trademark monitoring services. The fraudsters get email addresses of business owners from USPTO database then proceed to send an email while posing as an attorney.
Real attorneys are often impersonated to give the scam a sense of authenticity so that when people look up the names on the internet they see he/she exist. Then they think the email is legit and then contact the number provided.
Upon contacting the attorney via +1 (760) 284 7554, someone with a foreign accent would attempt to convince them that they’ve limited time to pay before the other person registers the brand. The fraudster cooks up a false story that incite fear on business owners and make them quickly fall for the bait.
Anyone who falls for the scam would be made to pay more and more money for a non-existent trademark monitoring service.
Spotting Qualitytrademark.com Red Flags;
- There’s no information online about the company ‘Quality Trademark’ neither is it registered in companies house.
- From sources on Google Map, 2951 Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94110 is the address of a family home not a business hub or office suite.
- Impersonates a real attorney ‘Lewis Present’
- The website ‘qualitytrademark.com’ was registered on 14th May 2024, this proves it lacks reputation as it isn’t even up to a year old.
- It shares same website design, content, and scam format with previously exposed trademark scam sites ‘Trademark Blink’ ‘Trademark Providers‘ e.t.c
- Uses urgent language that imply immediate legal action is required. Scammers often use urgency to create panic and force quick decisions.
- The email contains misleading information; the scammers claim recipients brand was “unregistered” which in most cases is simply false.
How To Protect Yourself from This Scam;
Do Not Respond
Do not attempt to reply the email as responding can lead to more scams. The best action you should take in this scenario is to totally ignore these emails.
Educate Your Staff
Informing your staff and colleagues about this latest scam would ensure they do not fall prey to it. Upon receiving similar emails, they’d be cautious and know the right steps to take.
Report To The Relevant Authorities
The USPTO has a page for trademark scams and you can email them directly at: [email protected]
Tips for Outsmarting Trademark Solicitation Scams
- Ignore Unsolicited calls or emails that are not from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) from its domain “@uspto.gov
- Consult an IP attorney if you have any concerns about misleading info you’ve received about trademarks.
- Always vet a company thoroughly before using their services. This you can do by searching for reviews or complaints on TrustPilot and Better Business Bureau.
- Ask detailed questions about their registration process, fees, and what specific services are included.
- Never pay questionable third parties through irreversible means like wire transfers, gift cards or crypto. Responsible firms will have no issue with you using credit cards/payment methods offering fraud protection.