EUIPO has circulated details of a new scam that is circulating. The scam involves a fake EUIPO decision notification, and demand for payment of a registration fee (sample pictured right).

The scam has been reported by users over the past fortnight. It uses EUIPO’s logo, name, acronym and letterhead.

EUIPO is urging anyone who receives this scam email to report it to information@euipo.europa.eu. It also wants to hear from IP offices that have experienced this type of scam (some national offices have already reported similar misleading invoices).

EUIPO has posted details of the scam on its social media pages, and encourages people to share and repost to warn as many users as possible.

The Office has contacted the relevant banks in Poland and has lodged a criminal complaint with the Office of the Public Prosecutor in Warsaw. A criminal investigation is pending.

EUIPO advises users to protect themselves against scams. In particular note that: (1) EUIPO never sends invoices or demands for payment to users; (2) statutory fees are published online and EUIPO only uses two Spanish bank accounts; (3) if there is any doubt about an invoice, contact EUIPO; and (4) users should consider registering for the User Area on the EUIPO website.

For more information, read “New misleading invoice alert – fake EUIPO decisions” on the EUIPO website.