FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 August 2015
Introduction
On 20 August 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1233 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1250 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 508 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1233
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (508)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (163)
Where the complaints came from
Across 795 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1233 complaints were recorded on 20 August 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 | 163 | 13.2% |
| Florida | 105 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 74 | 6.0% |
| New York | 71 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 67 | 5.4% |
| Georgia | 58 | 4.7% |
| Washington | 46 | 3.7% |
| Maryland | 43 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 521 | 42.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 929 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 929 | 75.3% |
| Internet | 175 | 14.2% |
| TV | 97 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 27 | 2.2% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
929 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 508 | 54.7% |
| Robocalls | 216 | 23.3% |
| Billing | 72 | 7.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 41 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 25 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 21 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
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
175 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 33.1% |
| Availability | 42 | 24.0% |
| Speed | 23 | 13.1% |
| Privacy | 20 | 11.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 10 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 9 | 5.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 37.1% |
| Availability | 19 | 19.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 16.5% |
| Equipment | 14 | 14.4% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials among the most 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.