FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 March 2015
Introduction
On Monday, 16 March 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1028 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 290 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 397 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1028
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (397)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (146)
Where the complaints came from
On 16 March 2015, the 1028 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 698 cities across 52 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 146 | 14.2% |
| Florida | 75 | 7.3% |
| Texas | 72 | 7.0% |
| New York | 60 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 4.3% |
| Michigan | 38 | 3.7% |
| Colorado | 36 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.5% |
| Massachusetts | 33 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 32 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 454 | 44.2% |
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 811 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 811 | 78.9% |
| Internet | 99 | 9.6% |
| TV | 97 | 9.4% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.6% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
811 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 397 | 49.0% |
| Robocalls | 188 | 23.2% |
| Billing | 72 | 8.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 49 | 6.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 2.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 21 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 21 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 28.3% |
| Privacy | 22 | 22.2% |
| Speed | 19 | 19.2% |
| Availability | 13 | 13.1% |
| Interference | 13 | 13.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.0% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Privacy and Speed.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 46.4% |
| Indecency | 16 | 16.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 16.5% |
| Availability | 13 | 13.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.1% |
Billing and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.