Is Trademark Troop Scam or Legit? Here’s The Truth About Trademarktroop.com
Have you received an email from Trademark Troop that says someone else intends to file an application for your trademark with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO)? Beware! It’s not legit. It’s a disguised scam targeting business and brand owners.
This article sheds a light on how Trademark Troop scam works, red flags to watch out for, and how to avoid trademark scams.
What is Trademark Troop?
Trademark Troop located at claims to offer the services – Trademark Registration, Trademark Comprehensive, Copyright Registration and Trademark Monitoring. However, there’s more to what meet the eyes. Behind the well designed website, an ongoing scam looms.
How The Trademark Swift Scam Work
Starts With Unsolicited Emails
The scam starts with an email that claims the recipient needs to register their brand name or trademark. The email is well written and signed by a certain Intellectual Property Attorney to give credibility.
Uses High Pressure Tactics
The scammers create a false sense of urgency by using high pressure tactics. Recipients are told that their brand name or trademark is not registered with the USPTO. They claim someone intends to file an application for the trademark.
Requests For Unnecessary Fees
After creating this false sense of urgency, Trademark Troop asks for huge amount of money from recipients. This money are often for unnecessary and nonsensical processes like ‘Trademark monitoring’.
Fails To Follow Due Process
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.
Absconds With People’s Money
The final stage of this scam is the disappearing act. How does this happen? by shutting down the website and ceasing communication with clients .
Trademark Troop Red Flags That Stand Out – Why You Shouldn’t Trust Trademarktroop.com
It’s Among a Chain of Trademark Scam Websites
Trademark Troop shares same website design, content, and address with Trademark Swift – an exposed trademark scam. From all indications, it’s part of a large chain of trademark scams.
Spoofs Legitimate Attorney
Trademark Troop uses the name of reputable attorneys to trick recipients. One of the attorneys often mentioned in their email is ‘Stephen Thomas Gebelin. It’s all just a hoax. The real Stephen Thomas has issued a warning about trademark scams using his name.
Not a Legal Entity
The email is written in such a way that makes recipient believe Trademark Troop 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 (since November 2023). How could they’ve catered for a thousand clients in a short time?
Fake Business Address
Trademark Troop is using the address of a popular place ‘610 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90014’ to trick people. The building’s lease officer said the only attorney located there is an Uber & Lyft Accident lawyer.
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.
- Search online reviews and the Better Business Bureau for complaints before engaging any registration company.
- Verify licenses to ensure your service provider is a real law firm and attorney licensed to practice.
- Ask detailed questions about their registration process, fees, and what specific services are included.
- Get everything in writing such as service agreements, scope of work, and fee breakdowns.
- Use payment methods that allow chargebacks like credit cards in case services aren’t rendered.
Conclusion
Trademark Troop is not a legit Trademark Registration Company. This scam website uses lies and high pressure tactics to coerce people into registering trademarks. Then it proceeds to scam them by offering subpar services with inflated bills.
