Fake Trademark Invoices via Google Search & Ads
Lookalike trademark service sites appear in search results and ads, charging inflated fees or duplicating official services businesses could obtain directly.
Part of: Fake Trademark & IP Invoices
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
When a business searches for how to register or renew a trademark, it may click a result or ad that leads to a private service rather than the official authority. Fake or misleading trademark services exploit this by promoting sites that charge inflated fees or imply an official status they do not have.
A prominent search position or paid ad can be mistaken for the official intellectual property office, especially by a business unfamiliar with the process. The scam relies on that confusion to capture payments for services that are overpriced, unnecessary, or simply a markup on what the official body provides.
How this scam works on Google Search & Ads
The operator builds a site that resembles an official trademark registry or presents a private filing and renewal service, then makes it visible through search results and ads targeting trademark queries.
A business searching for the official office may land on the lookalike, enter its details, and pay for a renewal, registration, or directory listing. The fee may be far above the official charge, and the site may imply a governmental status it does not hold. Some sites simply resell official services at a steep markup.
The business may overpay for something it could have done directly, or pay for a private register with no legal value. Search and ad platforms are neutral channels the operator abuses, not parties to the scheme.
Common red flags
- A trademark site reached via search or ad that is not the official office
- Wording that implies governmental authority without clearly stating it is private
- Fees far above the official body's published charges
- Offers to list your mark in a private register with unclear value
- A site address that does not match the official authority's domain
- Pressure to act before a deadline the site emphasises
How to protect yourself
- Find and use your national intellectual property office's official site directly
- Check the site address carefully before paying or entering details
- Compare any fee against the official body's published charges
- Treat private registers and directories as optional and often valueless
- Consult a trademark attorney for filings if you are unsure
- Bookmark the official office to avoid lookalike sites in future
How to report it
- Report the misleading site to the search or ad platform involved
- Notify your national intellectual property office
- Contact your bank if a payment was made
Frequently asked questions
A trademark service appeared at the top of search. Is it the official registry?
Not necessarily. Private services and lookalike sites can rank highly or run ads. Check the address against your national IP office's official domain, compare fees against official charges, and use the official site directly to avoid overpaying.