FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 March 2015

Introduction

On 5 March 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 999 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1082 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 399 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
999
States & territories reporting
52
Most common issue
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (399)
Most reported state/territory
California (114)

Where the complaints came from

On 5 March 2015, the 999 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 692 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 114 11.4%
Texas 84 8.4%
Florida 69 6.9%
New York 51 5.1%
Pennsylvania 43 4.3%
Illinois 41 4.1%
Virginia 38 3.8%
Georgia 36 3.6%
Ohio 34 3.4%
Michigan 33 3.3%
Other states and territories 456 45.6%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 759 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 759 76.0%
Internet 108 10.8%
TV 104 10.4%
Radio 14 1.4%
Emergency 12 1.2%
Accessibility 2 0.2%

Phone complaints

759 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 399 52.6%
Robocalls 178 23.5%
Billing 62 8.2%
Junk Faxes 24 3.2%
Availability (including rural call completion) 20 2.6%
Equipment 20 2.6%
Privacy 19 2.5%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 15 2.0%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 12 1.6%
Interference (including signal jammers) 7 0.9%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 3 0.4%

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

108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 28 25.9%
Privacy 22 20.4%
Speed 19 17.6%
Availability 16 14.8%
Interference 16 14.8%
Equipment 7 6.5%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Privacy and Speed among the most common.

TV complaints

104 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 38 36.5%
Indecency 36 34.6%
Loud Commercials 12 11.5%
Availability 6 5.8%
Interference 6 5.8%
Equipment 5 4.8%
Privacy 1 1.0%

Billing and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 5 March 2015.

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.