FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 October 2015
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1250 consumer complaints on 22 October 2015 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1207 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 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 460 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1250
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (460)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (161)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1250 complaints were recorded on 22 October 2015, with reports originating from 790 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 57 of the 88 complaints recorded.
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 | 161 | 12.9% |
| Florida | 114 | 9.1% |
| Maryland | 88 | 7.0% |
| Texas | 83 | 6.6% |
| New York | 66 | 5.3% |
| Georgia | 58 | 4.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.4% |
| Massachusetts | 37 | 3.0% |
| Michigan | 35 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 513 | 41.0% |
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
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 898 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 898 | 71.8% |
| Internet | 185 | 14.8% |
| TV | 89 | 7.1% |
| Radio | 70 | 5.6% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
898 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 460 | 51.2% |
| Robocalls | 227 | 25.3% |
| Billing | 68 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 27 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 24 | 2.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 18 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
185 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 70 | 37.8% |
| Availability | 35 | 18.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 26 | 14.1% |
| Privacy | 20 | 10.8% |
| Speed | 17 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 4.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 43.8% |
| Availability | 16 | 18.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 12.4% |
| Equipment | 9 | 10.1% |
| Indecency | 7 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 65 | 92.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 2.9% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.4% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.4% |
Interference and Pirate Radio accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.