Trademark Crown Scam Emails Targeting Small Business Owners

Trademark Crown, a sketchy website offering cheap trademark services, is blanketing small business owners with calls and emails promising to register their trademarks. But it’s all a fraudulent scheme to steal your money. Here’s how to recognize the signs of this sneaky scam.

The Slick Setup of the Trademark Crown Email Scam

The con begins with an unsolicited contact claiming someone is trying to register your business name as a trademark before you. The email message urges you to phone immediately on +1 (516) 814-2542 to “protect your rights” for a fee of $149-$199.

When you call, an “attorney” insists you pay right then to file your trademark application and avoid losing your business name. After taking your money, Trademark Crown sends fake USPTO documents to make it seem like your trademark application was filed. But in reality, no filing ever occurs.

Red Flags: How to Identify Legitimacy of the Company Emails

While the initial email messages seem official, many red flags expose this as a scam:

• Vague threats about losing your name create false urgency. Real attorneys don’t make baseless claims.
• The website Trademarkcrown.com was created on January 31, 2024, and it seems to be created with the intention to deceive users.
• No company office was found at the stated location of the site, Suite 103, Silver Towers, 100 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012.
• “Testimonials” on the website are clearly fabricated and generic. No reviews exist elsewhere.
• There is no proof that Trademark Crown is a real law firm. They cannot provide a business license, bar association records, or other documentation.
• No clear explanation of the trademark application process or services included.
• There are victim reports of paying the fees but not receiving any trademark registration services.
• No records of them filing successful trademarks, only taking money.
• There are some other warning signs like no BBB accreditation, recently registered domain, and affiliation with other exposed scam sites like Trademark Smart Filing.

Don’t Get Pressured by Trademark Crown – Verify First

The high-pressure threats are meant to bypass critical thinking so you hand over money quickly. But real government agencies like USPTO don’t operate this way.

Take time to verify a company’s reputation and consult a verified attorney before paying or sharing personal information. Never trust unsolicited emails, texts or calls demanding immediate payment.

Protect Yourself from Predatory Business Registration Scams

As trademark scams become more common and convincing, entrepreneurs must stay vigilant. Follow these tips to avoid becoming a victim:

• Research any company contacting you out of the blue before taking action. Check sites like Better Business Bureau for complaints.
• Confirm a law firm and attorneys are licensed to practice in your state. Contact your state bar association to validate licenses.
• Get explanations of services and fees in writing before paying. Ask questions if anything seems unclear or suspicious.
• Stick to reputable attorneys referred by trusted contacts and small business groups.
• Report any suspected scam call or email to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

What To Do if You Fall in their Trap

If you already got duped by the fraudsters, take these steps right away:

• Alert your bank and dispute any credit card charges paid to Trademark Crown. Report it as fraud.
• File complaints with the FTC, Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Consult a verified intellectual property attorney to pursue legitimate trademark registration.
• Change passwords and enable two-factor authentication to protect accounts compromised by sharing personal data.

Don’t let shame or embarrassment prevent you from reporting this scam. Trademark Crown relies on exploiting those unfamiliar with proper trademark registration. But awareness of their deceitful tactics can help put fraudsters like them out of business.