FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 October 2015
Introduction
On 19 October 2015, 1097 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 370 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with Florida slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 365 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1097
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (365)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (108)
Where the complaints came from
The 1097 complaints recorded on 19 October 2015 originated from 713 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 108 | 9.8% |
| California | 107 | 9.8% |
| Maryland | 78 | 7.1% |
| Texas | 66 | 6.0% |
| New York | 65 | 5.9% |
| Georgia | 49 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 49 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 4.5% |
| Michigan | 40 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 450 | 41.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 742 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 742 | 67.6% |
| Internet | 185 | 16.9% |
| TV | 97 | 8.8% |
| Radio | 64 | 5.8% |
| Emergency | 6 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
742 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 365 | 49.2% |
| Robocalls | 166 | 22.4% |
| Billing | 61 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 37 | 5.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 34 | 4.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 4.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 15 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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
185 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 73 | 39.5% |
| Availability | 34 | 18.4% |
| Speed | 23 | 12.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 21 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 12 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 12 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 10 | 5.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 37.1% |
| Availability | 15 | 15.5% |
| Equipment | 15 | 15.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 15.5% |
| Indecency | 10 | 10.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Equipment.
Radio complaints
64 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 55 | 85.9% |
| Indecency | 4 | 6.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 4.7% |
| Availability | 1 | 1.6% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.6% |
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.