FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 September 2015
Introduction
On 16 September 2015, 1258 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1238 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 509 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1258
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (509)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (146)
Where the complaints came from
On 16 September 2015, the 1258 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 821 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 146 | 11.6% |
| Texas | 95 | 7.6% |
| Florida | 91 | 7.2% |
| Georgia | 68 | 5.4% |
| New York | 68 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 66 | 5.2% |
| Virginia | 49 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 47 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.3% |
| Tennessee | 36 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 551 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 934 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 934 | 74.2% |
| Internet | 205 | 16.3% |
| TV | 94 | 7.5% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
934 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 509 | 54.5% |
| Robocalls | 220 | 23.6% |
| Billing | 67 | 7.2% |
| Privacy | 32 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 27 | 2.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 26 | 2.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
205 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 70 | 34.1% |
| Speed | 37 | 18.0% |
| Availability | 36 | 17.6% |
| Interference | 23 | 11.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 20 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 9 | 4.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 41.5% |
| Equipment | 14 | 14.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 13.8% |
| Availability | 9 | 9.6% |
| Indecency | 9 | 9.6% |
| Interference | 9 | 9.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing was the most commonly reported issue in this category, while other issues occurred 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.