FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 March 2015
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1127 consumer complaints on 19 March 2015 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1047 complaints recorded 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 499 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1127
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (499)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (153)
Where the complaints came from
Across 768 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1127 complaints were recorded on 19 March 2015. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 | 153 | 13.6% |
| Texas | 80 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 67 | 5.9% |
| New York | 63 | 5.6% |
| Michigan | 52 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 45 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 43 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 37 | 3.3% |
| Washington | 37 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 509 | 45.2% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 902 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 902 | 80.0% |
| Internet | 101 | 9.0% |
| TV | 96 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 21 | 1.9% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
902 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 499 | 55.3% |
| Robocalls | 213 | 23.6% |
| Billing | 58 | 6.4% |
| Privacy | 26 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 20 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.1% |
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
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 31.7% |
| Availability | 26 | 25.7% |
| Privacy | 16 | 15.8% |
| Interference | 12 | 11.9% |
| Speed | 10 | 9.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.0% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Privacy.
TV complaints
96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 42.7% |
| Indecency | 17 | 17.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 14.6% |
| Availability | 10 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 9 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
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.