Salespeople apply pressure to send money up front for patent searches, marketing studies and product development, manufacturer lists. Company tells you to fully describe your idea in writing and then tells you to mail this information to yourself and not open the envelope. This ploy is used to give the inventor the false impression that the idea is somehow protected. In fact, this methodology has been defeated in court. Company recommends that a design patent be applied for.
Company provides a patent search without a legal opinion or includes only design patent protection.
The salesperson is most likely working out of his home and is using a phone drop. Company claims to be located in one state but all correspondence is postmarked from another state. Frauds commonly use fictitious addresses and mail drops to hide their true location. Company runs slick ads on radio, television and national magazines. Company offers a money back guarantee if patent does not issue.