FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 January 2016
Introduction
On Thursday, 14 January 2016, 939 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1150 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was the most frequently reported issue, with 337 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 939
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (337)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (113)
Where the complaints came from
Across 649 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 939 complaints were recorded on 14 January 2016. 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 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 | 113 | 12.0% |
| Florida | 60 | 6.4% |
| Texas | 59 | 6.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 5.4% |
| Georgia | 45 | 4.8% |
| New York | 42 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 34 | 3.6% |
| Missouri | 34 | 3.6% |
| Tennessee | 30 | 3.2% |
| Maryland | 27 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 443 | 47.2% |
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 684 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 684 | 72.8% |
| Internet | 151 | 16.1% |
| TV | 85 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
684 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 337 | 49.3% |
| Robocalls | 161 | 23.5% |
| Billing | 65 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 27 | 3.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 21 | 3.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
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
151 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 35.1% |
| Speed | 31 | 20.5% |
| Availability | 18 | 11.9% |
| Equipment | 16 | 10.6% |
| Interference | 11 | 7.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 7.3% |
| Privacy | 11 | 7.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 37.6% |
| Availability | 24 | 28.2% |
| Equipment | 14 | 16.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.5% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.4% |
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.