FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 December 2014
Introduction
A total of 520 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 1 December 2014, this was higher than the 110 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 520
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (176)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (67)
Where the complaints came from
Across 422 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 520 complaints were recorded on 1 December 2014. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 67 | 12.9% |
| Texas | 36 | 6.9% |
| New York | 32 | 6.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 28 | 5.4% |
| Florida | 27 | 5.2% |
| Illinois | 21 | 4.0% |
| Massachusetts | 19 | 3.7% |
| Colorado | 18 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 18 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 17 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 235 | 45.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 423 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 423 | 81.3% |
| Internet | 43 | 8.3% |
| TV | 41 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.8% |
Phone complaints
423 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 176 | 41.6% |
| Robocalls | 114 | 27.0% |
| Billing | 39 | 9.2% |
| Privacy | 31 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 19 | 4.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 3.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 1.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 13 | 30.2% |
| Availability | 10 | 23.3% |
| Speed | 8 | 18.6% |
| Privacy | 7 | 16.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 11.6% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
41 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 17 | 41.5% |
| Billing | 9 | 22.0% |
| Availability | 7 | 17.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 14.6% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.9% |
Indecency and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
The information presented on this page is based on consumer complaint data submitted to regulatory authorities. References to telephone numbers reflect reports made by consumers and do not confirm ownership, authenticity, or that the number was genuinely associated with the call. Caller ID information may be inaccurate or subject to spoofing.
Complaint categories, dates and complainant locations are based on the source records and may contain incomplete, approximate or user-entered information. Location details refer to the complainant’s reported location, not the location of the caller or telephone number. This content is provided for informational purposes only.