FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 October 2015
Introduction
A total of 1412 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 14 October 2015, this represented an increase from the 1319 complaints recorded the day before. 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 522 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1412
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (522)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (173)
Where the complaints came from
Across 885 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 1412 complaints were recorded on 14 October 2015. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 58 of the 96 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 173 | 12.3% |
| Florida | 121 | 8.6% |
| Maryland | 96 | 6.8% |
| New York | 90 | 6.4% |
| Texas | 84 | 5.9% |
| Georgia | 53 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 53 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 47 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 46 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 597 | 42.3% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Maryland originated from Frederick, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1033 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1033 | 73.2% |
| Internet | 170 | 12.0% |
| TV | 122 | 8.6% |
| Radio | 75 | 5.3% |
| Accessibility | 7 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
1033 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 522 | 50.5% |
| Robocalls | 247 | 23.9% |
| Billing | 111 | 10.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 32 | 3.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 25 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 18 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 17 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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
170 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 32.9% |
| Availability | 30 | 17.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 22 | 12.9% |
| Privacy | 19 | 11.2% |
| Speed | 19 | 11.2% |
| Equipment | 13 | 7.6% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.5% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
122 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 36.9% |
| Availability | 21 | 17.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 20 | 16.4% |
| Equipment | 16 | 13.1% |
| Indecency | 11 | 9.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
Radio complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 62 | 82.7% |
| Indecency | 4 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 4.0% |
| Availability | 2 | 2.7% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.3% |
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.