Beware of fraudulent invoices

Have you ever registered a trademark or a design through WIPO, EUIPO or BOIP? Chances are you might be targeted by fraudulent companies. When you apply for a trademark or a design, the applicant's mail and email address will be published in the corresponding online registry. These registries are freely accessible to all - including the fraudsters. 

In unsolicited emails and letters, companies feign official status and ask for money in return for trademark and design services such as publication, registration or entry in business directories. The companies sending out these emails are not connected in any way with the public bodies designated to handle trademark and design services and as such, the services they offer are next to worthless.

So, how can you avoid falling into their trap? We have listed a few useful pointers below:

• If our firm handles your trademark portfolio, you should not be receiving invoices from parties or institutions other than De Clercq & Partners in this regard. If you have any questions or are in doubt about a strange invoice appearing in your mailbox, please do not hesitate to get in touch via info@dcp-ip.com. We would be happy to help!
• Before going ahead and paying any invoice, take care to verify that its source is official. The easiest and fastest way is by entering the biller's name into Google.
• Still not sure? You can find an extensive and searchable list of known fraudulent senders via this link.
• BOIP, EUIPO and WIPO have confirmed that they never send invoices or letters requesting payment to its users directly. 

Do you still have questions? Please feel free to contact us via email or via the contact form on our website. Our dedicated team of trademark and patent professionals is ready to assist you!