FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 September 2015
Introduction
A total of 998 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 14 September 2015, this represented an increase from the 340 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 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 340 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 998
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (340)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (94)
Where the complaints came from
The 998 complaints recorded on 14 September 2015 were submitted from 678 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 94 | 9.4% |
| Florida | 89 | 8.9% |
| Texas | 65 | 6.5% |
| Maryland | 56 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 4.8% |
| Georgia | 47 | 4.7% |
| New York | 47 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 36 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 440 | 44.1% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 705 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 705 | 70.6% |
| Internet | 146 | 14.6% |
| TV | 97 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 43 | 4.3% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
705 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 340 | 48.2% |
| Robocalls | 166 | 23.5% |
| Billing | 53 | 7.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 31 | 4.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 25 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 23 | 3.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 22 | 3.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
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
146 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 29.5% |
| Speed | 28 | 19.2% |
| Availability | 24 | 16.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 16 | 11.0% |
| Privacy | 16 | 11.0% |
| Interference | 13 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 4.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 40.2% |
| Availability | 21 | 21.6% |
| Equipment | 13 | 13.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 12.4% |
| Indecency | 8 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 40 | 93.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.3% |
Interference and Commercials/Promotions 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.