FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 August 2015
Introduction
On 28 August 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1210 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1222 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 50 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 478 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1210
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (478)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (151)
Where the complaints came from
Across 786 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1210 complaints were recorded on 28 August 2015. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 151 | 12.5% |
| Texas | 84 | 6.9% |
| Florida | 83 | 6.9% |
| Maryland | 66 | 5.5% |
| New York | 60 | 5.0% |
| Georgia | 53 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 43 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 41 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 538 | 44.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 863 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 863 | 71.3% |
| Internet | 191 | 15.8% |
| TV | 105 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 47 | 3.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
863 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 478 | 55.4% |
| Robocalls | 192 | 22.2% |
| Billing | 65 | 7.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 39 | 4.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
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
191 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 29.8% |
| Availability | 47 | 24.6% |
| Privacy | 27 | 14.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 18 | 9.4% |
| Speed | 16 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 14 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Privacy.
TV complaints
105 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 37.1% |
| Availability | 23 | 21.9% |
| Equipment | 13 | 12.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 12.4% |
| Indecency | 9 | 8.6% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Equipment.
Radio complaints
47 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 36 | 76.6% |
| Indecency | 5 | 10.6% |
| Availability | 2 | 4.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 4.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.1% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.1% |
Interference and Indecency 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.