FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 December 2014
Introduction
On Monday, 29 December 2014, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 646 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 225 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California accounting for the largest number of submissions at 84 complaints. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 646
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (145)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (84)
Where the complaints came from
Across 482 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 646 complaints were recorded on 29 December 2014. 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 84 | 13.0% |
| Florida | 39 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 5.9% |
| Texas | 38 | 5.9% |
| New York | 32 | 5.0% |
| New Jersey | 30 | 4.6% |
| Virginia | 29 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 28 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 24 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 21 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 283 | 43.8% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 66 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 452 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 452 | 70.0% |
| TV | 95 | 14.7% |
| Internet | 84 | 13.0% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
452 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 145 | 32.1% |
| Robocalls | 114 | 25.2% |
| Billing | 65 | 14.4% |
| Privacy | 34 | 7.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 25 | 5.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 23 | 5.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 2.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 1.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), Robocalls and Billing.
TV complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 35.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 21 | 22.1% |
| Indecency | 17 | 17.9% |
| Availability | 9 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Indecency.
Internet complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 31.0% |
| Availability | 25 | 29.8% |
| Privacy | 11 | 13.1% |
| Speed | 10 | 11.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.