FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 August 2015
Introduction
On 26 August 2015, 1295 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1363 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 530 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1295
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (530)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (166)
Where the complaints came from
On 26 August 2015, the 1295 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 822 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 | 166 | 12.8% |
| Texas | 105 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 86 | 6.6% |
| New York | 70 | 5.4% |
| Georgia | 65 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 4.2% |
| Washington | 48 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 47 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 45 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 42 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 564 | 43.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 102 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 920 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 920 | 71.0% |
| Internet | 185 | 14.3% |
| TV | 146 | 11.3% |
| Radio | 35 | 2.7% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
920 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 530 | 57.6% |
| Robocalls | 207 | 22.5% |
| Billing | 60 | 6.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 16 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
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
185 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 47 | 25.4% |
| Billing | 46 | 24.9% |
| Speed | 28 | 15.1% |
| Privacy | 27 | 14.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 5.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
TV complaints
146 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 57 | 39.0% |
| Billing | 39 | 26.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 9.6% |
| Indecency | 11 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 24 | 68.6% |
| Indecency | 6 | 17.1% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 8.6% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, 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.