Adverse Media

Publicly available negative information about an individual or organisation, potentially indicating financial crime, fraud, or other misconduct.

What is Adverse Media Screening? 

Adverse media screening is critical in mitigating risk and upholding regulatory compliance. It involves searching publicly available sources  (Adverse Media) to uncover any negative information associated with a user attempting identity verification.

What are the Benefits of  Adverse Media Screening?

1. Enhanced Security

By identifying individuals potentially linked to financial crimes or fraud, adverse media screening strengthens the overall security of the verification process. This helps prevent bad actors from exploiting digital identity systems for malicious purposes.

2. Compliance with Regulations

Regulatory bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) often mandate Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks. Adverse media screening is a crucial component of these checks, ensuring adherence to compliance requirements.

3. Combating Identity Theft

Adverse media screening can help unearth instances of potential identity theft. Identifying individuals who might be impersonating others, safeguards legitimate users and protects them from financial losses or reputational damage.

4. Building Trust

Users gain confidence knowing that the system is equipped to identify and weed out potentially risky actors, while businesses demonstrate a commitment to security and compliance.

Conclusion

Adverse media screening is a cornerstone of a secure and compliant Anti Money Laundering Solution.  By leveraging this powerful tool, businesses in the African market can bolster security, comply with regulations, and build trust with their customers. 

Interested in automated screening for your AML compliance? Smile ID’s AML Check screens new and existing users against over 1100 global and African sanctions, PEP and adverse media watchlists.

To learn more about our Smile ID’s technology and how it can help your business stay compliant, schedule a demo with one of our experts here.