FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 September 2015
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1118 consumer complaints on 25 September 2015 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1194 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 424 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1118
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (424)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (142)
Where the complaints came from
The 1118 complaints recorded on 25 September 2015 originated from 738 cities across 48 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 142 | 12.7% |
| Texas | 92 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 84 | 7.5% |
| New York | 59 | 5.3% |
| Illinois | 54 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 4.4% |
| Georgia | 44 | 3.9% |
| Maryland | 41 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 40 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 475 | 42.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 819 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 819 | 73.3% |
| Internet | 129 | 11.5% |
| TV | 125 | 11.2% |
| Radio | 35 | 3.1% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
819 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 424 | 51.8% |
| Robocalls | 207 | 25.3% |
| Billing | 59 | 7.2% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 3.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 19 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
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
129 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 27.1% |
| Availability | 29 | 22.5% |
| Privacy | 20 | 15.5% |
| Interference | 14 | 10.9% |
| Speed | 11 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 10 | 7.8% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Privacy.
TV complaints
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 34.4% |
| Indecency | 20 | 16.0% |
| Availability | 19 | 15.2% |
| Equipment | 17 | 13.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 17 | 13.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Indecency and Availability.
Radio complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 24 | 68.6% |
| Pirate Radio | 5 | 14.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 5.7% |
| Indecency | 2 | 5.7% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.9% |
Interference and Pirate Radio 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.