FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 March 2015
Introduction
On 23 March 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 982 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 293 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 397 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 982
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (397)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (117)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 982 complaints were recorded on 23 March 2015, with reports originating from 692 cities in 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 117 | 11.9% |
| Florida | 75 | 7.6% |
| Texas | 64 | 6.5% |
| New York | 52 | 5.3% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 42 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 35 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 34 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 34 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 33 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 452 | 46.0% |
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 762 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 762 | 77.6% |
| Internet | 101 | 10.3% |
| TV | 98 | 10.0% |
| Emergency | 12 | 1.2% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
762 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 397 | 52.1% |
| Robocalls | 169 | 22.2% |
| Billing | 64 | 8.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 34 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 23 | 3.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 19 | 2.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 25.7% |
| Privacy | 24 | 23.8% |
| Availability | 16 | 15.8% |
| Interference | 14 | 13.9% |
| Speed | 13 | 12.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Privacy and Availability.
TV complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 41.8% |
| Availability | 18 | 18.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 13.3% |
| Indecency | 11 | 11.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.2% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
Billing and Availability 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.