FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 December 2015
Introduction
A total of 1109 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 8 December 2015, this represented an increase from the 861 complaints recorded the day before. 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) was the most frequently reported issue, with 408 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1109
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (408)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1109 complaints were recorded on 8 December 2015, with reports originating from 763 cities in 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 129 | 11.6% |
| Florida | 74 | 6.7% |
| Texas | 74 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 71 | 6.4% |
| New York | 65 | 5.9% |
| Illinois | 44 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 39 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 39 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 497 | 44.8% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 92 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 817 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 817 | 73.7% |
| Internet | 141 | 12.7% |
| TV | 131 | 11.8% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
817 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 408 | 49.9% |
| Robocalls | 151 | 18.5% |
| Billing | 106 | 13.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 42 | 5.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 19 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
141 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 31.9% |
| Availability | 32 | 22.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 19 | 13.5% |
| Speed | 16 | 11.3% |
| Privacy | 14 | 9.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
131 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 34.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 30 | 22.9% |
| Indecency | 24 | 18.3% |
| Availability | 16 | 12.2% |
| Equipment | 11 | 8.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Indecency.
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.