FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 December 2015
Introduction
A total of 1140 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 3 December 2015, this represented a decline from the 1197 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1140
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (455)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (162)
Where the complaints came from
The 1140 complaints recorded on 3 December 2015 originated from 725 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 162 | 14.2% |
| Florida | 89 | 7.8% |
| Texas | 80 | 7.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 74 | 6.5% |
| New York | 58 | 5.1% |
| Georgia | 45 | 3.9% |
| Washington | 45 | 3.9% |
| Maryland | 42 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 41 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 35 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 468 | 41.1% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 100 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 870 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 870 | 76.3% |
| Internet | 136 | 11.9% |
| TV | 99 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 27 | 2.4% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
870 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 455 | 52.3% |
| Robocalls | 239 | 27.5% |
| Billing | 70 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 18 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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
136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 34.6% |
| Speed | 19 | 14.0% |
| Privacy | 18 | 13.2% |
| Availability | 17 | 12.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 11 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 11 | 8.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Privacy.
TV complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 26.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 22 | 22.2% |
| Availability | 20 | 20.2% |
| Indecency | 13 | 13.1% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability.
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.