Fake Trademark & IP Invoices
Official-looking invoices for trademark 'registration', 'renewal' or 'publication' from bogus bodies.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
Fake trademark and IP invoice scams send official-looking demands for trademark registration, renewal, or 'publication' fees from organisations that resemble — but are not — the genuine IP office.
How it works
After you file a trademark (a matter of public record), scammers send invoices mimicking official IP bodies for unnecessary 'services'. Paying funds the scammer and provides nothing of value.
Common red flags
- Invoices from bodies with official-sounding but unfamiliar names
- Fees for 'publication' or 'registers' you didn't request
- Timing right after a public IP filing
- Bank details abroad and urgent deadlines
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
Pay [amount] to publish your trademark in the [official-sounding] register within 10 days.
Payment methods used
- Bank transfer
- Invoice payment
Who is usually targeted
- Businesses with trademarks/patents
- IP applicants
What to do immediately
- Communicate only with your actual IP office or your appointed attorney
- Treat unsolicited IP invoices as scams until verified
- Report misleading invoices to authorities
Evidence to preserve
- The invoice/notice
- Your genuine IP correspondence
- Payment records
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Does the real IP office send extra invoices after I file?
Genuine fees come through your official IP office or your appointed representative. Unsolicited invoices from official-sounding third parties after a filing are a well-known scam.