--- title: What are common Politically Exposed Person (PEP) screening mistakes? description: "What are common Politically Exposed Person (PEP) screening mistakes - Mistake 1: Not Screening at All \"I trust my clients, I don't need to check\" Problem: PEP." --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.easyaml.com/what-are-common-politically-exposed-person-pep-screening-mistakes#main-content) English - Australia Show submenu for translations Open main navigation Close main navigation - English - Australia Show submenu for translations How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [easyAML Help Centre](https://knowledge.easyaml.com/?hsLang=en-au) 2. [FAQs](https://knowledge.easyaml.com/faqs?hsLang=en-au) 3. [Customer Due Diligence (CDD)](https://knowledge.easyaml.com/faqs?hsLang=en-au#customer-due-diligence-cdd) # What are common Politically Exposed Person (PEP) screening mistakes? ## Mistake 1: Not Screening at All "I trust my clients, I don't need to check" Problem: PEP screening is legally mandatory. **Mistake 1: Not Screening at All** "I trust my clients, I don't need to check" **Problem:** PEP screening is legally mandatory. Failure to screen is a compliance breach even if the client turns out not to be a PEP. **Fix:** Screen EVERY client, EVERY time. easyAML has PEP screening built into our platform when performing CDD. **Mistake 2: Only Screening the Individual, Not Beneficial Owners** "I screened the company director, that's enough" **Problem:** The real PEP might be a beneficial owner, not the director. Directors can be nominees. **Fix:** Screen all beneficial owners with 25%+ ownership or control. **Mistake 3: Not Screening Family Members or Close Associates** "The client isn't a PEP, so I'm done" **Problem:** PEP family members have the same risk profile. Criminals use family members to hide assets. **Fix:** Ask about family member and close associate positions. Screen spouse and close family. **Mistake 4: Only Screening Once, Never Again** "I screened them 5 years ago" **Problem:** People take on new positions. Former non-PEPs become PEPs. Your old screening is outdated. **Fix:** Re-screen before significant new transactions. **Mistake 5: Poor Quality Screening** "I Googled their name, found nothing" **Problem:** Generic Google searches miss a lot. Common names need more context. No database screening for high-risk clients. **Fix:** Use easyAML's PEP functionality to check every one of your transactions automatically. **Mistake 6: Not Documenting Screening** "I definitely screened them, I just didn't write it down" **Problem:** If you can't prove you screened, AUSTRAC treats it as if you didn't. No records = compliance failure. **Fix:** easyAML Keeps records of every screening. Results, notes, dates, and sources used. **Mistake 7: Ignoring Positive Matches** "Someone with that name is a politician, but surely not THIS person" **Problem:** Assuming it's not the same person without checking. You must investigate matches. **Fix:** Compare details (DOB, nationality, photo). Confirm whether it's actually them or just a name match. **Mistake 8: Not Applying Enhanced Due Diligence** "They're a PEP but seem legitimate, so I'll just do standard checks" **Problem:** PEPs ALWAYS require enhanced due diligence by law. No exceptions for "legitimate" PEPs. **Fix:** If they're a PEP, switch to full EDD. 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