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InventHelp® Scam Questions - The Truth About InventHelp

The truth is that there are unfortunately dishonest companies in every field. As America's leading service provider since 1984, InventHelp offers these tips to help inventors avoid scams and guide them to invention companies that perform services honestly.

We have done this in a simple FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) format. You can learn more about inventor scam issues, as well as other consumer fraud, by visiting our InventHelp Scam Resources page or the InventHelp Scam Warning information portal.

FAQs about Spotting Inventor Fraud

Q: How can I tell if an invention company is a scam?
A: Usually by its ads and website. Scams promise or imply success for everyone. This is the opposite of the truth as inventions generally have a low success rate. InventHelp ads are straightforward and modest.

Q: When should I be suspicious of an invention company?
A: When the sales representative tells you one thing and the contract says something else. Honest companies will be specific and tell you exactly what they will do. This is InventHelp's policy, and it is how we separate ourselves from fraudulent inventor help firms.

Q: How can I tell if the company has experience?
A: The law requires an invention company to give you an explanation of its track record in advance. Companies that hide their track record are not being forthright. Any invention company will have a low success rate as this is the norm for inventions. InventHelp has been around since 1984; we're proud of our record and provide it to you in advance.

Q: Will legitimate invention companies work on my invention for a share of profits?
A: Almost never. Because inventions are a high-risk endeavor, virtually no one can afford to work on your invention without payment. Some people will tell you that legitimate firms work only on a percentage, but very few companies exist to accommodate the many inventors needing assistance. The few such firms which do this are usually non-profit, are very selective and accept very few inventions.

Q: How do I know if I'm getting what was promised?
A: Read the contract. Honest companies itemize their services in detail and also explain them to you. Inventor scams and frauds offer vague general promises. InventHelp services are clearly itemized in our contracts and literature.

Q: Can invention companies evaluate my invention and tell me if it will succeed?
A: Some individuals have tried to conduct evaluations, but the problem is, we do not believe there is any correlation between such tests and actual performance of an invention. Be wary of any company that tells you they have an evaluation committee. Dishonest companies pretend that your invention will succeed. InventHelp explains this so that you can understand the realities and difficulties of the marketplace.

Q: Can an invention company guarantee my getting a patent?
A: Not at all. Invention scam companies have been guilty in the past of guaranteeing patents. Only the U.S. Patent Office can grant you a patent and at least 30 – 40% of all patent applications are rejected by the Patent Office. InventHelp refers you to an independent patent attorney to provide invention patent services.

Q: Can an invention company provide patent services?
A: No. Such services can only come from a patent attorney. Fraudulent invention companies will offer you patent advice. You should avoid firms that claim to have in-house expertise. Patent services must come directly to you from a licensed patent attorney. InventHelp refers you to an independent licensed patent attorney who charges a modest fee due to our volume of referrals.

Q: Can invention companies lose my rights to my invention?
A: Yes, firms that engage in inventor fraud and scams could lose your rights. Any company with which you work should have a program to protect the confidentiality of your idea. For instance, we submit inventions in confidence to companies in the InventHelp Data Bank.

Q: Is a sliding scale fee honest?
A: No. A dishonest company may ask you for a higher fee in exchange for a lower share of royalties. This is dishonest because it is well-known that only a small percentage of inventions succeed. In contrast, InventHelp shows you all of its fees and success rates in advance.