Sanctions Screening

Checks a candidate's name and date of birth against the Australian (DFAT), UN Security Council, US OFAC and UK sanctions lists. A RefChecks reviewer looks at every possible match before you see a result.

4 official listsLists checked
DailyLists refreshed
Reviewed by a personPossible matches

Overview

Why Sanctions Screening?

Sanctions screening checks a person against the lists governments publish of people subject to sanctions. In Australia the main list is the Australian Sanctions Consolidated List, kept by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It includes everyone the UN Security Council lists as well as people listed under Australia's own sanctions laws. Dealing with a listed person, including paying them wages, can be a serious criminal offence.

RefChecks checks the candidate's name and date of birth against four published lists: the DFAT Consolidated List, the UN Security Council Consolidated List, the US OFAC Specially Designated Nationals List and the UK Sanctions List. We download each list every day and match names allowing for spelling variants, transliterations and aliases.

When a name looks similar to a listed person, a RefChecks reviewer compares the details before you see anything. You get one of three results: no match, match confirmed, or unresolved with the evidence. The result names each list and the date it was published.

What's Included

Sanctions Screening Features

Four official lists

DFAT Consolidated List (Australia), UN Security Council Consolidated List, US OFAC Specially Designated Nationals List and the UK Sanctions List, in one check.

Lists refreshed daily

Each list is downloaded every day from its publisher. If a list cannot be refreshed, the check waits for a reviewer rather than report on old data.

Every possible match reviewed

Similar names are common. A RefChecks reviewer compares the date of birth, nationality and listing details before any result reaches you.

Date of birth matters

The candidate's date of birth is part of every check, so people who share a name with a listed person are not mixed up.

Clear record

The result names each list checked and the date it was published, so you can show exactly what was screened and when.

Process

How It Works

1

Order the check

Add Sanctions Screening to a background check. Include the candidate's date of birth if you have it; if not, we ask the candidate when they give consent.

2

The candidate consents

The candidate agrees to the check and confirms their date of birth. Screening starts straight away.

3

Name and date of birth checked

The name and date of birth are compared with every person on the four lists, including aliases and spelling variants.

4

A person reviews any possible match

No similar names: the result is No match, usually within minutes. A possible match goes to a RefChecks reviewer, usually within one business day.

Turnaround & Pricing

What to Expect

Turnaround Time

Usually minutes; about one business day when a possible match needs review

Price per check

$10

Priced per check, separately from your plan, which covers reference checks.

FAQ

Sanctions Screening FAQ

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