Question 1

What databases are checked?

Accepted Answer

We screen against the UN Security Council Sanctions List, US OFAC SDN, EU Financial Sanctions and Consolidated Travel Bans, UK HMT Sanctions, Canada SEMA Sanctions, Australia DFAT Sanctions, Interpol Red Notices, PEP (Politically Exposed Person) databases, and more — 461 international sources updated daily.

Question 2

Is this check legally binding?

Accepted Answer

No. This is an intelligence screening based on public international watchlist data. It does not replace government immigration checks, court orders, or official travel-ban determinations. For legally verified results, use Wirestork's professional verification service.

Question 3

What if I get a false match?

Accepted Answer

Common names may produce coincidental matches. If your match confidence is low and you don't recognize the associated details (different country, different date of birth), it is likely a false positive. For certainty, get a professional verified check.

Question 4

How often is the data updated?

Accepted Answer

The underlying database is updated daily from 461 international sources.

Question 5

Is my search private?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We do not publish or share your name or personal details. Only anonymized analytics (e.g., number of searches per day) are recorded. Your email is stored only to deliver your results and, if you opt in, to notify you if your status changes.

Question 6

What is a PEP?

Accepted Answer

A Politically Exposed Person (PEP) is someone who holds or has held a prominent public function — heads of state, senior politicians, judges, military officers, and their close family or associates. PEP status does not imply wrongdoing, but may trigger enhanced scrutiny for financial or business transactions.

Question 7

Can I check a company or vessel?

Accepted Answer

Not yet — this tool currently screens individuals only. Company, vessel, and aircraft screening is available through Wirestork's professional service.

Question 8

How many entities do you actually screen against?

Accepted Answer

1,979,925 searchable entities from 461 international sources, including 103,200 entities under active sanctions designations, 934,470 politically exposed persons, 262,584 criminal/warrant records, and 208,364 debarred companies and individuals. Figures reflect the underlying OpenSanctions dataset and are updated daily.

Question 9

What is an OFAC search?

Accepted Answer

An OFAC search checks a name against the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control lists — chiefly the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list — which name individuals and entities subject to US economic sanctions. This tool runs that OFAC sanctions search alongside 461 other international lists in one query.

Question 10

Who needs to run a sanction search OFAC check?

Accepted Answer

Travelers, employers, landlords, and businesses doing due diligence commonly run an OFAC search before a transaction, hire, or trip — a match can affect banking, payments, and in some cases travel screening in the US and allied countries.

OFAC Search & Sanctions Check

Frequently Asked Questions