AI-powered screening of global news and media sources for negative coverage. Part of AML due diligence and enhanced background checks for senior, financial, and regulated roles.
Overview
Adverse media screening — also known as negative news screening — is the process of searching global news, press, and online media for negative coverage of an individual. It is a standard component of AML due diligence, enhanced background checks, and senior executive screening, designed to surface information not captured by structured databases like police records or sanctions lists.
Adverse media can reveal regulatory actions, criminal investigations, civil litigation, financial misconduct, reputational controversies, and professional disciplinary matters that predate formal charges or convictions. For financial institutions, adverse media screening is expected under AUSTRAC guidelines for enhanced customer due diligence on high-risk individuals, PEPs, and senior executives.
Refchecks delivers adverse media screening via AI-powered analysis of global news sources. The AI categorises findings by type (financial crime, regulatory, criminal, reputational) and assesses relevance and severity. A clear summary report is delivered to the employer dashboard, with links to source articles for further review.
What's Included
Searches thousands of news sources across Australia and internationally. Covers English and major non-English language sources relevant to the individual's background.
AI filters out irrelevant matches (common names, unrelated individuals) and categorises genuine findings by type: financial crime, regulatory, criminal, or reputational.
Adverse media screening is a recognised component of enhanced customer and employee due diligence under FATF recommendations and AUSTRAC guidance.
Findings are organised by category and severity. Source article links are included. The report format is suitable for AML compliance documentation.
AI-powered screening returns results within minutes. No manual research required.
Process
Enter the individual's full name, known aliases, date of birth, and known locations or organisations. More context improves search precision.
The system searches thousands of news sources for articles mentioning the individual. Aliases and transliterations are included.
AI analyses each result to determine relevance (correct individual), then categorises by finding type (financial crime, regulatory, criminal, reputational) and severity.
A categorised adverse media report is delivered to the employer dashboard with finding summaries and source links. Clear (no findings) results are also documented.
Turnaround & Pricing
Turnaround Time
Under 5 minutes
Per screen
From $25
Bundle with PEP and sanctions screening for comprehensive AML due diligence.
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