Description

I was contacted via text message stating a third party was applying for an abandoned trademark (short lapse in paperwork) and that in order to keep it that I needed to file paperwork with UTPSO by 5pm that day. I asked about the fee and was told Trademarks Counseling was a free government agency. I began to correspond and provide information needed for UTPSO (no sensitive information), and was then sent a payment link for $850. Obviously, that raised a flag because the service was said to be provided by a non-profit agency. I did my due diligence online, and found the filing fees were misrepresented, the company is for profit, and a BBB scam alert. Also, my online search came up empty when I searched for the company's registration with any Sec. of State offices. This scam almost got me, because it struck a nerve with the 5pm deadline that I would loose the trademark for my company. It came very, very close.