FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 January 2016
Introduction
A total of 1035 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 15 January 2016, complaint volume increased from 939 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was the most frequently reported issue, with 416 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1035
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (416)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (122)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 15 January 2016 show 1035 complaints originating from 708 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 122 | 11.8% |
| Florida | 92 | 8.9% |
| Texas | 77 | 7.4% |
| New York | 69 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 5.2% |
| Illinois | 42 | 4.1% |
| Virginia | 41 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 39 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 33 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 31 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 432 | 41.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 770 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 770 | 74.4% |
| Internet | 144 | 13.9% |
| TV | 100 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
770 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 416 | 54.0% |
| Robocalls | 154 | 20.0% |
| Billing | 89 | 11.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 23 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 23 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
144 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 30.6% |
| Availability | 24 | 16.7% |
| Privacy | 22 | 15.3% |
| Speed | 21 | 14.6% |
| Interference | 15 | 10.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Privacy among the most common.
TV complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 43.0% |
| Availability | 21 | 21.0% |
| Equipment | 19 | 19.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.0% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
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.