Beware The Trademark Fort Scam – Here’s What Victims Say

Trademark registration scams are becoming more common these days. Often starting with an unsolicited email to small business owners, it ends in a sour taste as victims lost thousands of dollars to the crooks parading themselves as Trademark attorneys.

The latest reported trademark registration scam is the Trademark Fort scam (trademarkfort.com).

Exposing The Trademark Fort Scam

Operated by scammers pretending to be Eric James from 610 s broadway los angeles ca 90014. The Trademark Fort scam starts with an unsolicited email that has a false sense of urgency. The email claims recipients brand name or trademark is not registered with the USPTO, hence someone intends to file an application for the trademark.

Once the victim falls for the trick and contact Trademark Pearl, the scammers request for high fees for unnecessary and nonsensical processes like ‘Trademark monitoring’.

In cases of Trademark registration, the scammers might spoof the USPTO logo and send clients fake receipts. They do not register the trademark under USPTO.

The final stage of this scam is the disappearing act. How does this happen? by ceasing communication with victims.

Real Victim Complaints About The Trademark Fort Scam

A couple of small business owners sent us the following quotes, detailing their experience after being conned by the fraudsters at Trademarkfort.com.

“I received an email stating that the USPTO had important information regarding my recent Trademark Application. It had lots of legal mumbo jumbo in the body of the email that made it seem legit. I called and spoke with Eric James who told me that I needed to purchase a Trademark Monitoring Service because my application was likely to get rejected.”

“I purchased the Platinum Monitoring Package for $2,995 from Trademark Fort. After not hearing anything for months, I called and emailed multiple times with no response. I then tried looking up their address only to find it doesn’t exist. I’ve been scammed out of thousands!”

“I too have been scammed by Trademark Fort for $1495 after receiving an email alerting me that another company was attempting to use my business name. I filed for a refund and fraud claim with my bank but I doubt I will ever see that money again. Stay far away from this deceitful site!”

5 Redflags Revealing It’s a Trademark Fort Scam

It’s Among a Large Chain of Trademark Registration Scam

Trademarkfort.com shares same website design, content, and address with Trademark Swift and Trademark Troop– an exposed trademark scam. From all indications, it’s part of a large chain of trademark scams.

Spoofs Legitimate Attorney

Trademark Fort uses the name of reputable attorneys eg; ‘Eric James’ to trick recipients. However, this is all part of the scam. One of the attorneys often mentioned in their email is ‘Amanda Rokita’. It’s all just a hoax. The real Amanda Rokita has issued a warning about trademark scams using her name –

“Please note that it has come to our attention that businesses are receiving emails from “Trademark Zenesa” and “Trademark Blink” using Amanda Rokita’s name in the signature. Our office has never been affiliated with any third party trademark companies, some of which have been identified by the USPTO as a scam. We only offer trademark services through our law firm, Rokita Law, P.C. If you received one of these emails, we would greatly appreciate it if you would forward it to [email protected]. Thank you”

Not a Legal Entity

The email is written in such a way that makes recipient believe Trademark Fort is a legal entity, however this is misrepresentation. On the website’s about us page, they state they’re not a law firm. This means there’s no real applicant intending to use the aforementioned trademark.

Recently Registered Website

For a business that claimed to have provided trademark solutions to thousands of businesses, it’s surprising that they’ve only been operating for a short while (December 2023). How could they’ve catered for a thousand clients in a short time?

Fake Business Address

Trademarkfort.com is using the address of a popular place ‘1800 Sutter St #375 Concord, CA 94520,’ to trick people. The only attorney located there is an Uber & Lyft Accident partner and attorney.

How To Protect Yourself From The Trademark Fort Scam

Do Not Engage

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.

Seek Legitimate Counsel

The next action you should take as a business owner or brand owner is to consult with a reputable trademark attorney for genuine concerns.

Educate Your Staff and Colleagues

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.

What are The Right Authorities To Report The Trademark Fort Scam?

If you’ve received the Trademark Fort scam email and/or you’ve fallen victim to the scam, it’s very important to report the scam to relevant authorities such as the USPTO helpdesk,  ReportFraud.ftc.gov or Internet Crime Complaint Center. This would enable them issue a warning to the public about the ongoing scam.

You should also report the scam to your local law enforcement agency. Provide them with all the details regarding the scam, including any emails, telephone numbers, or communication you have received.

How To Avoid Similar Trademark 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.

Conclusion

Trademark Fort uses deceptive tactics to get people to pay for fake legal services related to Trademarks, Copyrights, and Intellectual Property. Do not respond to the email!