What is an OFAC sanctions risk score?

An OFAC sanctions risk score is a 0 to 100 measure of how likely a counterparty is to be sanctioned or tied to one.

TL;DR

TL;DR: A sanctions risk score is a quantitative 0 to 100 rating based on counterparty data, jurisdiction, and transaction patterns. Higher scores mean more scrutiny.

What goes into the score

A risk score combines signals rather than a single list hit:

• Counterparty data: name and wallet against the SDN List.
• Jurisdiction: whether the party operates in a high risk region.
• Patterns: transaction behavior that looks like evasion.

How it is used

The score feeds the SCORE gate in the 4-Gate protocol: SCREEN, SCORE, STOP, STAMP. A clean screen with a high score can trigger a manual review, while a low score lets the payment proceed. The exact number is a signal, not a verdict.

Practical guidance

Use the score to rank counterparties for review, not to auto approve anyone on the SDN List. Any list match is a block regardless of score. Log the score with each screen so your decision is documented.

Score versus list match

Keep the two concepts apart. A list match is a hard block, full stop. A score is a softer signal that ranks clean counterparties by residual risk. A high score with no list match should prompt review, not automatic rejection, and a low score never overrides a match. Use the score to prioritize, and the list to decide. Document the score alongside each screen result so the reasoning behind every allow or review is preserved.