FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 August 2015
Introduction
A total of 1214 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 3 August 2015, this represented an increase from the 371 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1214
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (355)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (127)
Where the complaints came from
The 1214 complaints recorded on 3 August 2015 originated from 779 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 127 | 10.5% |
| Florida | 97 | 8.0% |
| New York | 86 | 7.1% |
| Texas | 79 | 6.5% |
| Georgia | 77 | 6.3% |
| Illinois | 47 | 3.9% |
| Maryland | 42 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 40 | 3.3% |
| Tennessee | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 538 | 44.3% |
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 807 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 807 | 66.5% |
| Internet | 279 | 23.0% |
| TV | 103 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
807 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 355 | 44.0% |
| Robocalls | 205 | 25.4% |
| Billing | 89 | 11.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 34 | 4.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 26 | 3.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 22 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
279 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 74 | 26.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 64 | 22.9% |
| Availability | 57 | 20.4% |
| Speed | 45 | 16.1% |
| Privacy | 16 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 13 | 4.7% |
| Interference | 10 | 3.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 44.7% |
| Availability | 17 | 16.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 17 | 16.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.7% |
| Indecency | 10 | 9.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.