FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 December 2014
Introduction
On 17 December 2014, 690 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 668 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 47 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 111 complaints. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 690
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (228)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (111)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 690 complaints were recorded on 17 December 2014, with reports originating from 503 cities in 47 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 111 | 16.1% |
| Florida | 50 | 7.2% |
| Texas | 40 | 5.8% |
| New York | 38 | 5.5% |
| Illinois | 31 | 4.5% |
| Maryland | 24 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 24 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 24 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 23 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 23 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 302 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 559 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 559 | 81.0% |
| Internet | 54 | 7.8% |
| TV | 54 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 18 | 2.6% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
559 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 228 | 40.8% |
| Robocalls | 145 | 25.9% |
| Billing | 52 | 9.3% |
| Privacy | 35 | 6.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 21 | 3.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 18 | 3.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.4% |
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
54 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 29.6% |
| Availability | 11 | 20.4% |
| Speed | 11 | 20.4% |
| Privacy | 8 | 14.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.6% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
54 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 37.0% |
| Indecency | 14 | 25.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 14.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 13.0% |
| Availability | 4 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.9% |
Billing and Indecency 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.