FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 October 2015
Introduction
On 13 October 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1319 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 954 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), with 499 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1319
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (499)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (147)
Where the complaints came from
On 13 October 2015, the 1319 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 815 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 54 of the 90 complaints recorded.
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 | 147 | 11.1% |
| Florida | 112 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 96 | 7.3% |
| Maryland | 90 | 6.8% |
| New York | 73 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 68 | 5.2% |
| Illinois | 62 | 4.7% |
| Massachusetts | 51 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 40 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 37 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 543 | 41.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Maryland were heavily concentrated in Frederick, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 996 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 996 | 75.5% |
| Internet | 156 | 11.8% |
| TV | 97 | 7.4% |
| Radio | 69 | 5.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
996 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 499 | 50.1% |
| Robocalls | 228 | 22.9% |
| Billing | 98 | 9.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 51 | 5.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 26 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 20 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 18 | 1.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
156 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 35.3% |
| Availability | 24 | 15.4% |
| Privacy | 20 | 12.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 19 | 12.2% |
| Speed | 18 | 11.5% |
| Interference | 12 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Privacy among the most common.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 42.3% |
| Availability | 19 | 19.6% |
| Equipment | 12 | 12.4% |
| Indecency | 12 | 12.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
69 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 65 | 94.2% |
| Availability | 1 | 1.4% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.4% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Availability, 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.