FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 January 2016
Introduction
A total of 1176 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 12 January 2016, this represented an increase from the 901 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1176
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (377)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
On 12 January 2016, the 1176 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 771 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 129 | 11.0% |
| Florida | 97 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 84 | 7.1% |
| New York | 70 | 6.0% |
| Virginia | 49 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 42 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 41 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.4% |
| Maryland | 37 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 536 | 45.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 838 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 838 | 71.3% |
| Internet | 202 | 17.2% |
| TV | 109 | 9.3% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
838 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 377 | 45.0% |
| Robocalls | 175 | 20.9% |
| Billing | 120 | 14.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 45 | 5.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 26 | 3.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
202 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 67 | 33.2% |
| Speed | 39 | 19.3% |
| Availability | 26 | 12.9% |
| Privacy | 24 | 11.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 18 | 8.9% |
| Interference | 16 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 12 | 5.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 36.7% |
| Availability | 29 | 26.6% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.1% |
| Indecency | 11 | 10.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.