FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 September 2015

Introduction

On 7 September 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 461 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 344 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 44 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.

Key statistics

Total complaints
461
States & territories reporting
44
Most common issue
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (152)
Most reported state/territory
California (49)

Where the complaints came from

The 461 complaints recorded on 7 September 2015 were submitted from 327 cities across 44 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 49 10.6%
Florida 47 10.2%
Texas 37 8.0%
Maryland 27 5.9%
Louisiana 24 5.2%
New York 24 5.2%
Illinois 20 4.3%
Georgia 19 4.1%
Washington 18 3.9%
Virginia 17 3.7%
Other states and territories 179 38.8%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 4 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 262 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 262 56.8%
Internet 101 21.9%
TV 67 14.5%
Radio 31 6.7%

Phone complaints

262 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 56.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 152 58.0%
Robocalls 42 16.0%
Billing 25 9.5%
Availability (including rural call completion) 12 4.6%
Equipment 12 4.6%
Privacy 7 2.7%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 6 2.3%
Interference (including signal jammers) 3 1.1%
Junk Faxes 2 0.8%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 1 0.4%

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

101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 30 29.7%
Speed 21 20.8%
Availability 14 13.9%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 13 12.9%
Interference 10 9.9%
Privacy 9 8.9%
Equipment 4 4.0%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.

TV complaints

67 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 25 37.3%
Loud Commercials 15 22.4%
Availability 11 16.4%
Indecency 10 14.9%
Interference 4 6.0%
Equipment 2 3.0%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability.

Radio complaints

31 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 27 87.1%
Availability 1 3.2%
Commercials/Promotions 1 3.2%
Equipment 1 3.2%
Pirate Radio 1 3.2%

Interference and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 7 September 2015.

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.