That official-looking letter probably isn’t very official

Linda says an entrepreneurial relative received an official-looking letter seeking additional funds to register a trademark. She asks: Is this kosher?

Almost certainly not.

Official-looking letters are a scam genre unto themselves. In this case, the letter seems to be from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and seems to imply that unless more money is submitted, a trademark registration won’t go through.

ASK LAZ: Smart answers to consumer questions

A spokeswoman for the federal agency told me scammers routinely scour official databases in search of recent trademark filings. Then they target the filers with their own letters.

It typically costs about $300 to register a trademark. One you’ve paid, you’ve paid.

Anyone who suggests you need to pony up some more scratch is trying to pull a fast one. For more, check out today’s Ask Laz video.

If you have a consumer question, email me at asklaz@latimes.com or contact me via Twitter @Davidlaz.