Fraudsters are sending patent holders in the UK fake invoices claiming to be from European Patent Office (EPO), warns the police fraud reporting centre Action Fraud.
The EPO examines and grants European patents under the European Patent Convention. Several businesses have contacted the Intellectual Property Office after receiving the postal letter invoice asking for payment of “fees”.
The invoices are extremely convincing and contain correct patent details including the correct address of the companies who hold the patents. One example is asking for £1998.80 Euros in “fees”. These invoices are almost identical to the real thing, says Action Fraud; it is only the bank account details that are different so are likely to catch people out who worried that their European patent could be cancelled.
The authorities ask that if you receive one of these invoices do not pay any money and report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or by using the online reporting tool.
