FAQs
The Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") of the US Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, those engaged in activities ...
Why would someone be on the OFAC list? ›
As part of its enforcement efforts, OFAC publishes a list of individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries. It also lists individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers designated under programs that are not country-specific.
What is OFAC check for? ›
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign jurisdictions and regimes, as well as individuals and entities engaging in harmful activity, such as terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, weapons of ...
What transactions are subject to OFAC? ›
What Bank Transactions are Subject to OFAC Regulations? Every transaction that a United States financial institution engages in is subject to OFAC laws and regulations. If a bank processes a transaction from a list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons, it would be considered unlawful.
What to do if you get an OFAC hit? ›
If you are unsure whom to contact, you should contact your screening software provider which told you there was a “hit.” If you can't tell what the “hit” is, you should contact your screening software provider which told you there was a “hit.”
What does it mean to be blocked by OFAC? ›
OFAC authorities may require U.S. persons to block all property and interests in property of certain persons, known as "blocked persons." When this is the case, any property and interests in property of a blocked person that are within the United States or within the possession or control of a U.S. person must be ...
What is an OFAC warning? ›
OFAC Screen is a service that alerts the user that a consumer's personal information possibly matches a subject on a list of individuals and entities that are prohibited by the U.S. Treasury from doing business in or with the United States.
What are the red flags for a potential OFAC violation? ›
Red flags may arise relating to geographic areas or the nesting of third-party assets. Monitoring accounts to detect unusual or suspicious activity – for example, unexplained significant changes in the value, volume, and types of assets within an account.
What is a US person under OFAC? ›
The term "United States person" means— (A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States; or (B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity.
How to check if someone is on the OFAC list? ›
OFAC's Sanctions List Search tool employs fuzzy logic on its name search field to look for potential matches on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List and on its Non-SDN Consolidated Sanctions List.
Pursuant to OFAC reporting regulations, holders of blocked property — including financial institutions — must report blocked property to OFAC within 10 business days from the date the property was blocked. The report may be filed by the holder of the blocked property or by an attorney on behalf of the holder.
Who needs to follow OFAC? ›
All U.S. persons must comply with OFAC sanctions, including all U.S. citizens and permanent residents regardless of where they are located, all individuals and entities within the United States, and all U.S. incorporated entities and their foreign branches.
What does it mean if you are on the OFAC list? ›
Answer. As part of its enforcement efforts, OFAC publishes a list of individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries. It also lists individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers designated under programs that are not country-specific.
What is the OFAC mainly used for? ›
The Office of Foreign Assets Control administers and enforces economic sanctions programs primarily against countries and groups of individuals, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers.
Which entities are targeted by OFAC? ›
OFAC is an office of the U.S. Treasury that administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted individuals and entities such as foreign countries, regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and those engaged in certain ...
What is the role of OFAC officer? ›
The BSA/OFAC Officer is responsible for developing, implementing, administering, and monitoring all aspects of the Credit Union's BSA/AML/OFAC Compliance Program. The individual is expected to be knowledgeable in all aspects of BSA/AML/OFAC.
Who is subject to the Office of Foreign Assets Control? ›
Under presidential national emergency powers, OFAC carries out its activities against foreign governments, organizations (including terrorist groups and drug cartels), and individuals deemed a threat to U.S. national security.
How long does it take OFAC to release funds? ›
It could take anywhere from six to thirty months to receive OFAC's decision on an unblocking application. Unfortunately for those who have had their funds blocked due to mistaken identity, there are no legal means to expedite the process.
What does the Office of Foreign Affairs do? ›
The Office of International Affairs (OIA) returns fugitives to face justice, transfers sentenced persons to serve their sentences in their home countries, and obtains essential evidence for criminal investigations and prosecutions worldwide by working with domestic partners and foreign counterparts to facilitate the ...