There is a surprisingly large industry that profits by scamming trademark owners by sending official-looking invoices that mention the recipient’s trademarks, and hoping that the recipient will be fooled into paying it.

How do you avoid getting scammed — often for several thousand dollars? Ask your trusted trademark counsel about any suspicious trademark invoice. What makes a trademark invoice suspicious? First and foremost, did it come from your trusted trademark counsel? Here as some other things to look for:

• Is the return address a post office box?
• Is the return address from a city remote from the USPTO?
• Is the return address from a foreign country?
• Does the document refer to an “offer” or “solicitation”?
• Does the document refer to “listing” your in a directory or publication?
• Is there a portion to clip and return?
• Does the URL or email address end in .org or.biz or another unusual domain?

Be careful and only deal with your trusted trademark counsel.