US customers requesting background screening reports are frequently confused in the area of criminal background checks, according to a survey by background screening provider First Advantage, a Symphony Technology Group company.

“Clients see the major risks with not doing appropriate background screening,” said Theresa Preg, First Advantage senior director of product management. “There is often confusion about the types of searches in the US alone, and conducting global screens adds to this complexity.”

Results of the study of First Advantage customers include:

• 37 percent of companies report being unsure about when to order a federal criminal search versus a county search.
• 38 percent of companies don’t understand the difference between a database search and county courthouse search.
• 45 percent of companies report they have candidates that require criminal background checks in multiple countries.
• 43 percent of companies report the major risks of not screening are potential legal action and damage to their brand reputation.

The survey also found that 79 percent of companies still ask applicants if they have a criminal history on the application, despite recent “ban the box” legislation. However, 58 percent said they have hired someone with a criminal background and 96 percent reported that they turn away less than 25 percent of candidates due to something in their background screen.

The survey was conducted by research platform TechValidate on behalf of First Advantage and received over 700 responses. The study was conducted between July and August 2014.