FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 October 2015
Introduction
On Thursday, 15 October 2015, 1426 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 1412 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1426
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (543)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (185)
Where the complaints came from
The 1426 complaints recorded on 15 October 2015 were submitted from 881 cities across 52 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 185 | 13.0% |
| Florida | 115 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 97 | 6.8% |
| New York | 88 | 6.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 66 | 4.6% |
| Ohio | 60 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 55 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 53 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 43 | 3.0% |
| Tennessee | 43 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 621 | 43.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1001 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1001 | 70.2% |
| Internet | 210 | 14.7% |
| TV | 179 | 12.6% |
| Radio | 29 | 2.0% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1001 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 543 | 54.2% |
| Robocalls | 275 | 27.5% |
| Billing | 77 | 7.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 18 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 18 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| 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
210 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 67 | 31.9% |
| Availability | 37 | 17.6% |
| Speed | 33 | 15.7% |
| Privacy | 24 | 11.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 23 | 11.0% |
| Interference | 15 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 5.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
179 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 50 | 27.9% |
| Billing | 44 | 24.6% |
| Interference | 33 | 18.4% |
| Availability | 16 | 8.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 12 | 6.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Indecency, Billing and Interference among the most 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.