FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 March 2015
Introduction
A total of 1047 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 31 March 2015, this was higher than the 896 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was the most frequently reported issue, with 451 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1047
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (451)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (121)
Where the complaints came from
On 31 March 2015, the 1047 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 708 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 121 | 11.6% |
| Florida | 86 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 74 | 7.1% |
| New York | 61 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 5.2% |
| Illinois | 52 | 5.0% |
| Georgia | 43 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 32 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 442 | 42.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 848 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 848 | 81.0% |
| Internet | 101 | 9.6% |
| TV | 76 | 7.3% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
848 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 451 | 53.2% |
| Robocalls | 182 | 21.5% |
| Billing | 78 | 9.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 25 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 23 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 18 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
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 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 31.7% |
| Availability | 20 | 19.8% |
| Privacy | 20 | 19.8% |
| Speed | 14 | 13.9% |
| Interference | 10 | 9.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Privacy.
TV complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 32.9% |
| Availability | 12 | 15.8% |
| Indecency | 12 | 15.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 15.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 9.2% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.6% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Indecency.
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.