FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 August 2015
Introduction
A total of 1222 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 27 August 2015, this represented a decline from the 1295 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 468 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1222
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (468)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (170)
Where the complaints came from
The 1222 complaints recorded on 27 August 2015 were submitted from 781 cities across 51 states and territories. 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 shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 170 | 13.9% |
| Florida | 97 | 7.9% |
| Texas | 84 | 6.9% |
| New York | 74 | 6.1% |
| Maryland | 68 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 58 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 56 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 33 | 2.7% |
| Michigan | 32 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 509 | 41.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 902 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 902 | 73.8% |
| Internet | 173 | 14.2% |
| TV | 97 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 45 | 3.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
902 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 468 | 51.9% |
| Robocalls | 223 | 24.7% |
| Billing | 81 | 9.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 21 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 21 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 17 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
173 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 31.2% |
| Availability | 42 | 24.3% |
| Speed | 28 | 16.2% |
| Privacy | 18 | 10.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 17 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 5 | 2.9% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 46.4% |
| Availability | 23 | 23.7% |
| Indecency | 10 | 10.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.2% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 35 | 77.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 13.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 4.4% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.2% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.2% |
Interference and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less 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.