FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 May 2015
Introduction
A total of 1077 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 20 May 2015, this represented an increase from the 999 complaints recorded the previous day. 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 436 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1077
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (436)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (160)
Where the complaints came from
Across 710 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1077 complaints were recorded on 20 May 2015. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 160 | 14.9% |
| Florida | 97 | 9.0% |
| Texas | 95 | 8.8% |
| New York | 52 | 4.8% |
| New Jersey | 49 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 37 | 3.4% |
| Tennessee | 37 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 35 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 430 | 39.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 866 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 866 | 80.4% |
| Internet | 97 | 9.0% |
| TV | 83 | 7.7% |
| Radio | 30 | 2.8% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
866 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 436 | 50.3% |
| Robocalls | 212 | 24.5% |
| Billing | 59 | 6.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 51 | 5.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 23 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 16 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
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
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 33 | 34.0% |
| Billing | 25 | 25.8% |
| Speed | 19 | 19.6% |
| Availability | 10 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.2% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Privacy, Billing and Speed.
TV complaints
83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 33.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 18 | 21.7% |
| Indecency | 16 | 19.3% |
| Availability | 9 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.6% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Indecency.
Radio complaints
30 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 11 | 36.7% |
| Availability | 8 | 26.7% |
| Indecency | 5 | 16.7% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 3 | 10.0% |
| Billing | 2 | 6.7% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 3.3% |
Interference 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.