Scammers have been impersonating intellectual property lawyers in phishing emails targeting members of the public.
The emails request payments to the scammers for trademark work, which may include taking action against potential trademark infringement. See notices from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and the College of Patent Agents & Trademark Agents for more information.
Lawyers who want practice advice about this scam or the bad cheque scam, including phony trademark infringement claims and the phony purchase and sale of intellectual property, can contact Barbara Buchanan, KC at bbuchanan@lsbc.org or 604.697.5816.
If you have been impersonated, report immediately to Coalition, Inc. (if your firm has coverage with Coalition) and to your cyber insurer.