Anti-Spam Advisory

Anti-Fraud Investigators (AFI): Public Communication and Anti-Spam Advisory Policy Overview

The Anti-Fraud Investigators (AFI) are committed to maintaining clear, ethical, and professional standards for electronic communication. This document outlines the policies governing how members of the public can interact with our organisation and the expectations for responsible communication. We aim to foster transparency, trust, and efficiency while safeguarding against spam and abuse. Individuals reaching out to AFI are encouraged to communicate respectfully and to ensure that messages are relevant to the context of anti-fraud investigations. Misuse of communication channels, including the dissemination of spam or unsolicited messages, contravenes our guidelines and may result in restrictions or further action. Our policy seeks to create a secure and constructive environment for collaboration in the fight against fraud.

Public Communication and Anti-Spam Advisory

Policy Overview: This document clarifies the standards for electronic communication with AFI and provides guidelines for members of the public on how to interact with our organization, particularly concerning potential spam or fraud reports.

1. AFI’s Commitment to Combating Spam and Phishing

AFI maintains a Zero-Tolerance Policy for spam and phishing attempts directed at our staff and clients, or those that impersonate our organization. Our commitment includes:

  • Security: Utilizing advanced email scanning and security measures to protect against malware and malicious communications.
  • Enforcement: Actively investigating and reporting sources of malicious spam that target our systems or attempt to compromise ongoing fraud investigations.

2. How AFI Official Communication Occurs

To help you identify legitimate emails from AFI and avoid scammers:

Feature

AFI Official Communications

Email Address

Always ends with the verified AFI domain (e.g., @antifraudinvestigators.co.uk). We will not use personal email addresses (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) for official business.

Storage of Items

We never store evidence, personal belongings, or sensitive items at an employee’s private residence. Such items are stored securely in official, documented authorized facility.

Contact Requests

We will clearly state a case number, your assigned investigator, and the reason for the contact. We do not use aggressive, threatening, or excessively urgent language.

Payment

We will never request payments via non-traceable methods (e.g., gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer apps) related to an investigation.

3. Guidelines for Communication from the Public

Members of the public are expected to use AFI communication channels responsibly.

3.1. Acceptable Communication:

  • Reporting a scam, fraud, or suspicious activity.
  • Responding to an official AFI communication regarding an active case.
  • Inquiring about AFI's services through designated official contact forms or email addresses.

3.2. Unacceptable Communication (Spam):

The following types of communication sent to AFI will be considered a violation of this policy:

  • Unsolicited marketing, sales pitches, or commercial advertisements.
  • Chain letters, junk mail, or non-business-related personal messages.
  • Emails containing false, misleading, or deceptive information.
  • Abusive or threatening communications directed toward AFI personnel.

4. Enforcement and Reporting Policy

If a member of the public sends unsolicited or spam emails to AFI business addresses:

  1. Initial Warning: AFI will issue one formal notification (a "cease-and-desist" warning) requiring the sender to stop all further unsolicited communication immediately.
  2. Continued Violations: If unsolicited communication persists after the formal warning, AFI reserves the right to:
  • Block the sender’s email address and domain.
  • Report the account to the sender's Email Service Provider (e.g., Outlook, Google) for policy infringement.
  • In cases of malicious spam, phishing, or harassment, AFI will report the activity to law enforcement agencies and relevant anti-spam regulators.

5. How to Report a Scam or Suspicious Email

If you believe you have received a scam email, or if you wish to report a genuine fraud or security concern to AFI:

  • Do not reply to the suspicious email.
  • Forward the entire suspicious email (including all original headers if possible) to our dedicated security address: securityteam@antifraudinvestigators.co.uk.
  • If the matter is urgent or involves an immediate threat, please contact your local police authority first.