Scam Warning - Spoofed Calls, Phishing Emails, Fraudulent Payment Requests

Be aware of attempts to defraud you by phone, email or text message. 
Scammers are increasingly targeting IP owners and businesses, trying to steal your money or personal (or company) information. They will trick you into believing that a communication comes from us, or from someone or an organization with a relationship to us. Scammers’ requests can look legitimate.  For example, they may have “spoofed” our phone numbers or email addresses, and/or they may be using logos and letterheads that appear to be WIPO’s.
Please be aware that: 
  • This email address has no connection to WIPO or any official IP Office
  • WIPO's official email addresses exclusively use the "wipo.int" domain
  • You should not respond to any communication coming from this address
  • You should not make any payment requested through this or any similar fraudulent email address
If you have received an email from this or other suspicious email address, please report it immediately using steps described immediately above. 

If you think you’ve been scammed contact us.

If you think you’ve been scammed contact us.
  • How can I spot a fraudulent email?
  • How can I spot a spoofed call?
  • What should I do if I think I’m being scammed?
  • Learn more about spotting scams through examples
  • Latest scams

How can I spot a fraudulent email?

1. Check the sender

Verify that the sender's email address contains the "wipo.int" domain. Be aware, however, that email addresses can be spoofed or impersonated.

The sender's email address is technically forged to display as a legitimate address (e.g., appearing as "noreply@wipo.int") while the actual origin of the email is entirely different. You can detect this by hovering over the sender's email address, which will reveal the real address behind it.

The email address is designed to closely resemble a legitimate one but contains subtle differences that are easy to miss (e.g., "wlpo.int" instead of "wipo.int"). 

2. Analyze the content

Our language excludes urgencies and threats. We will only request personal information through our official platforms (for the creation of a WIPO Account). Be cautious of any email creating pressure to act immediately. And remember that we will never ask you to make an unsolicited payment, with instructions on how to do so, in our written communications.

3. Verify the links

Before clicking any link, hover over it to preview the URL and check whether it contains the "wipo.int" (or "upov.int") extension.

4. Check for attachments

Be cautious of unexpected attachments. We will never ask you to download unsolicited files or software.

5. Look at the overall quality

Watch for poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or unusual formatting, as these are common indicators of fraudulent emails.

6. When in doubt, verify

If you are unsure about the legitimacy of an email claiming to be from WIPO, do not respond or click any links. Contact us directly to confirm its authenticity.

How can I spot a spoofed call?

1. Pay attention to the questions asked

Our employees will never ask you for personal or payment information over the phone. If a caller claims to be from WIPO and requests such information, this is a strong indicator of a fraudulent call. Do not provide this data to anyone.

2. Be cautious about payment requests

Fees charged for WIPO services are to be paid directly to the International Bureau or, where applicable, to the national/regional IP Office. Payments should never be made to third-party services or organizations.

3. Do not act under pressure

Scammers often create a sense of urgency or threaten consequences to push you into making quick decisions.

4. Verify the caller's identity

If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from WIPO, do not hesitate to hang up and contact us.

Latest active scams

Scammers are currently using the fraudulent email address admin@wipo-office.com to impersonate WIPO and other IP Offices, including the EPO and EUIPO. These fraudulent emails falsely demand payments for Trademark or Patent services. See the examples below. 

EPO

April 1, 2026

EUIPO - European Union

March 8, 2026

Please be aware that: 

  • This email address has no connection to WIPO or any official IP Office 
  • WIPO's official email addresses exclusively use the "wipo.int" domain 
  • You should not respond to any communication coming from this address 
  • You should not make any payment requested through this or any similar fraudulent email address 

If you have received an email from this or other suspicious email address, please report it immediately using steps described immediately above. 

How can I spot a fraudulent email? 

  • Step 1

    Check the sender

    Verify that the sender's email address contains the "wipo.int" domain. Be aware, however, that email addresses can be:

    • Spoofed: the sender's email address is technically forged to display as a legitimate address (e.g., appearing as "noreply@wipo.int") while the actual origin of the email is entirely different. You can detect this by hovering over the sender's email address, which will reveal the real address behind it. 
    • Impersonated: the email address is designed to closely resemble a legitimate one but contains subtle differences that are easy to miss (e.g., "wlpo.int" instead of "wipo.int"). 
  • Step 2

    Analyze the content

    Our language excludes urgencies and threats. We will only request personal information through our official platforms (for the creation of a WIPO Account). Be cautious of any email creating pressure to act immediately.  And remember that we will never ask you to make an unsolicited payment, with instructions on how to do so, in our written communications.

  • Step 3

    Verify the links

    Before clicking any link, hover over it to preview the URL and check whether it contains the "wipo.int" (or "upov.int") extension. 

  • Step 4

    Check for attachments

    Be cautious of unexpected attachments. We will never ask you to download unsolicited files or software. 

  • Step 5

    Look at the overall quality

    Watch for poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or unusual formatting, as these are common indicators of fraudulent emails. 

  • Step 6

    When in doubt, verify

    If you are unsure about the legitimacy of an email claiming to be from WIPO, do not respond or click any links. Contact us directly to confirm its authenticity. 

 How can I spot a spoofed call?  

  • Step 1

    Pay attention to the questions asked

    Our employees will never ask you for personal or payment information over the phone. If a caller claims to be from WIPO and requests such information, this is a strong indicator of a fraudulent call. Do not provide this data to anyone. 

  • Step 2

    Be cautious about payment requests

    Fees charged for WIPO services are to be paid directly to the International Bureau or, where applicable, to the national/regional IP Office. Payments should never be made to third-party services or organizations. 

  • Step 3

    Do not act under pressure

    Scammers often create a sense of urgency or threaten consequences to push you into making quick decisions.

  • Step 4

    Verify the caller's identity

    If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from WIPO, do not hesitate to hang up and contact us. 

How can I spot a fraudulent email? 

  • Step 1

    Check the sender

    Verify that the sender's email address contains the "wipo.int" domain. Be aware, however, that email addresses can be: 

    • Spoofed: the sender's email address is technically forged to display as a legitimate address (e.g., appearing as "noreply@wipo.int") while the actual origin of the email is entirely different. You can detect this by hovering over the sender's email address, which will reveal the real address behind it. 
    • Impersonated: the email address is designed to closely resemble a legitimate one but contains subtle differences that are easy to miss (e.g., "wlpo.int" instead of "wipo.int"). 
  • Step 2

    Analyze the content

    Our language excludes urgencies and threats. We will only request personal information through our official platforms (for the creation of a WIPO Account). Be cautious of any email creating pressure to act immediately.  And remember that we will never ask you to make an unsolicited payment, with instructions on how to do so, in our written communications.

  • Step 3

    Verify the links

    Before clicking any link, hover over it to preview the URL and check whether it contains the "wipo.int" (or "upov.int") extension. 

  • Step 4

    Check for attachments

    Be cautious of unexpected attachments. We will never ask you to download unsolicited files or software. 

  • Step 5

    Look at the overall quality

    Watch for poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or unusual formatting, as these are common indicators of fraudulent emails. 

  • Step 6

    When in doubt, verify

    If you are unsure about the legitimacy of an email claiming to be from WIPO, do not respond or click any links. Contact us directly to confirm its authenticity. 

 How can I spot a spoofed call?  

  • Step 1

    Pay attention to the questions asked

    Our employees will never ask you for personal or payment information over the phone. If a caller claims to be from WIPO and requests such information, this is a strong indicator of a fraudulent call. Do not provide this data to anyone. 

  • Step 2

    Be cautious about payment requests

    Fees charged for WIPO services are to be paid directly to the International Bureau or, where applicable, to the national/regional IP Office. Payments should never be made to third-party services or organizations. 

  • Step 3

    Do not act under pressure

    Scammers often create a sense of urgency or threaten consequences to push you into making quick decisions.

  • Step 4

    Verify the caller's identity

    If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from WIPO, do not hesitate to hang up and contact us. 

What should I do if I think I’m being scammed?

If you receive anything that you were not expecting from us and have doubts about its legitimacy, do not provide information, make any payment or click any link. Instead, follow these steps:

  • Step 1

    Contact us directly

    Reach out to our Contact Center to discuss the matter. 

  • Step 2

    Seek internal support

    Contact your information security team or attorney as appropriate to report the suspicious communication and seek guidance.

  • Step 3

    Check our website

    See if similar fraudulent notices have been reported. You can do so on this website by going to the next two sections below. You can also check your national or regional patent office’s website, as they normally have a section dedicated to fraudulent notices.

  • Step 4

    Alert your colleagues

    Inform all colleagues who might receive similar notices so they are aware and can take precautions.

  • Step 5

    Report to the authorities

    Make a complaint to the competent government authorities and/or consumer protection groups in your country to help take action against scammers.

Download an infographic on what to do if you think you are being scammed
Download an infographic on what to do if you think you are being scammed
IMAGE: LOREM IPSUM

Learn more about spotting scams through examples

The best way to protect yourself is to know what a phishing email looks like. Take a look at these examples below and familiarize yourself with the key warning signs to help you identify and avoid fraudulent communications.

More examples of fraudulent messages

Find more examples of fraudulent messages requests that are not coming from WIPO, on our dedicated webpages:

Fake WIPO Trademark Registration Notice Promoting Unnecessary Legal Services

Scam keywords: ...

This fraudulent letter falsely informs recipients that their international trademark application "has been accepted by WIPO and is now proceeding under the Madrid Protocol."

Unlike typical fee-demand scams, this letter takes a more subtle approach: rather than directly requesting a payment, it pressures trademark owners into hiring and paying "local representatives" in all designated countries by fabricating an urgent legal requirement to do so. It misrepresents real regulatory references and national trademark laws to create an appearance of legitimacy and reproduces WIPO's actual Geneva address and official branding to appear credible.

WIPO does not send unsolicited trademark registration notices directing applicants to appoint local representatives through third-party contacts.

Fake WIPO Accounts Reconciliation Phishing Email

Scam keywords: Accounting.WIPO@encrypt-email.org

This email falsely impersonates the WIPO Accounting Department, claiming to conduct an "annual bank reconciliation audit" of outstanding balances.

It attempts a two-pronged attack: first, it requests recipients to share confidential financial information — including a list of open invoices and outstanding payments — by clicking a suspicious link to an "Access Solvay-WIPO Folder Now" shared folder, likely designed to harvest credentials or sensitive financial data. Second, it instructs recipients to "hold any payments until further notice," a classic business email compromise (BEC) tactic used to later redirect payments to fraudulent accounts. The email originates from Accounting.WIPO@encrypt-email.org, an unofficial address entirely unrelated to WIPO, while reproducing WIPO's official logo and Geneva address to appear legitimate.

WIPO never communicates through third-party encrypted email domains and all official correspondence originates exclusively from @wipo.int email addresses.

Fake WIPO International Mark Renewal Fee Demand via Bitcoin

Scam Date
Scam keywords: Bitcoin

This email falsely informs recipients that their International Mark registration recorded with WIPO requires an immediate renewal fee payment of EUR 1,970.00.

In a particularly unusual demand, it claims that "in accordance with Decision Article 8(7) of the Madrid Protocol," the ONLY accepted payment method is Bitcoin cryptocurrency, providing a Bitcoin wallet address for the transfer and requiring payment within 10 days. The email threatens that "failure to pay the fee may result in the loss of International Mark's approval and associated rights granted by WIPO." It is signed by a fictitious "Director Finance of WIPO" to lend false credibility.

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Latest scams

IPC – Intellectual Property Consulting / WIPO Office

Scam keywords: admin@ipc-consultants.com, IPC, Intellectual Property Consulting
This email, using an ipc-consultants.com email domain,falsely informs recipients that their international trademark registration recorded with WIPO requires immediate payment of an "Administrative Protection Fee.

" It requests a fee of EUR 2,445 payable within 5 days through bank transfer to a Moldovan bank account (Victoriabank, IBAN MD40VI022512 ...), with the beneficiary listed as "IPC – Intellectual Property Consulting".. The email uses threatening language such as "final notice," "binding and non-negotiable," and "irreversible enforcement consequences" to pressure recipients into paying.

IPC – Intellectual Property Consulting / WIPO Office

Scam keywords: ...

Scam keywords: admin@ipc-consultants.com, IPC, Intellectual Property Consulting

This email, using an ipc-consultants.com email domain,falsely informs recipients that their international trademark registration recorded with WIPO requires immediate payment of an "Administrative Protection Fee.

" It requests a fee of EUR 2,445 payable within 5 days through bank transfer to a Moldovan bank account (Victoriabank, IBAN MD40VI022512 ...), with the beneficiary listed as "IPC – Intellectual Property Consulting".. The email uses threatening language such as "final notice," "binding and non-negotiable," and "irreversible enforcement consequences" to pressure recipients into paying.

EIPD – European Intellectual Property Directorate / Fake EUIPO Administrative Protection Fee Demand

Scam keywords: admin@wipo-office.com, EIPD, European Intellectual Property Directorate

This email falsely informs recipients that their Community Trademark registration recorded with the EUIPO (the European Union Intellectual Property Office) requires immediate payment of an "Administrative Protection Framework" fee.

It requests a fee of EUR 2,445 payable immediately through bank transfer to a Ukrainian bank account (UKR CAPITAL Bank, IBAN UA1223037100 ...), with the beneficiary listed as "EIPD – European Intellectual Property Directorate". Despite impersonating the EUIPO, the email originates from admin@wipo-office.com, an address unrelated to WIPO or any EU institution. The email references fabricated regulatory provisions and uses threatening language warning of "termination of administrative protection services" and "withdrawal of the Administrative Protection Framework" to pressure recipients into paying.

Learn more about Patent scams (PCT)

Learn more about Trademark scams (Madrid Registry)

Learn more about Patent scams (PCT)

Learn more about Trademark scams (Madrid Registry)

Learn more about spotting scams through examples

The best way to protect yourself is to know what a phishing email looks like. Take a look at the two examples below and familiarize yourself with the key warning signs to help you identify and avoid fraudulent communications. 

More examples of fraudulent messages

Find more examples of fraudulent messages requests that are not coming from WIPO, on our dedicated webpages: 

Example 1. Fraudulent Trademark Registration Notice impersonating WIPO Madrid

#

Trademark registration notice

Date of publication

This email fraudulently claims the recipient's trademark faces a competing claim, falsely stating that WIPO handles trademark opposition or infringement disputes. It urgently demands a response to "protect" the trademark and deceptively uses an alleged WIPO colleague's name to lend credibility to this fake legal notice.

Example 2. Fraudulent email impersonating WIPO's Accounting Department coming from Accounting.WIPO@encrypt-email.org 

#

Trademark registration notice

Date of publication

This email fraudulently claims the recipient's trademark faces a competing claim, falsely stating that WIPO handles trademark opposition or infringement disputes. It urgently demands a response to "protect" the trademark and deceptively uses an alleged WIPO colleague's name to lend credibility to this fake legal notice.

Still have questions or received a suspicious communication?

Our team is here to help. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any doubts or concerns.