FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 September 2015
Introduction
A total of 557 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 26 September 2015, this was lower than the 1118 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 47 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 557
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (168)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (82)
Where the complaints came from
The 557 complaints recorded on 26 September 2015 were submitted from 409 cities across 47 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 82 | 14.7% |
| Florida | 45 | 8.1% |
| Georgia | 30 | 5.4% |
| Illinois | 30 | 5.4% |
| Maryland | 30 | 5.4% |
| New York | 30 | 5.4% |
| Texas | 27 | 4.8% |
| Virginia | 27 | 4.8% |
| Washington | 23 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 18 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 215 | 38.6% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 329 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 329 | 59.1% |
| Internet | 117 | 21.0% |
| TV | 72 | 12.9% |
| Radio | 32 | 5.7% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
329 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 168 | 51.1% |
| Robocalls | 83 | 25.2% |
| Billing | 28 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 14 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 11 | 3.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.3% |
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
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 30 | 25.6% |
| Billing | 24 | 20.5% |
| Privacy | 18 | 15.4% |
| Availability | 15 | 12.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 11.1% |
| Interference | 12 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Speed, Billing and Privacy.
TV complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 47.2% |
| Availability | 9 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 12.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 12.5% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.9% |
| Indecency | 4 | 5.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.8% |
Billing represented the largest share of complaints recorded in this category, with lower volumes reported across the remaining issues.
Radio complaints
32 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 22 | 68.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 18.8% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 6.3% |
| Availability | 1 | 3.1% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 3.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.