FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 February 2016
Introduction
On 8 February 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 979 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 297 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 979
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (300)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (118)
Where the complaints came from
The 979 complaints recorded on 8 February 2016 were submitted from 673 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 118 | 12.1% |
| Florida | 81 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 64 | 6.5% |
| New York | 55 | 5.6% |
| Virginia | 48 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 4.4% |
| Georgia | 41 | 4.2% |
| Michigan | 39 | 4.0% |
| Washington | 39 | 4.0% |
| Missouri | 31 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 418 | 42.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 691 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 691 | 70.6% |
| Internet | 138 | 14.1% |
| TV | 118 | 12.1% |
| Radio | 21 | 2.1% |
| Accessibility | 8 | 0.8% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
691 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 300 | 43.4% |
| Robocalls | 180 | 26.0% |
| Billing | 75 | 10.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 38 | 5.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 34 | 4.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 17 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| 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
138 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 29.0% |
| Availability | 36 | 26.1% |
| Privacy | 22 | 15.9% |
| Speed | 17 | 12.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 8.0% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.6% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Privacy.
TV complaints
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 36.4% |
| Indecency | 32 | 27.1% |
| Availability | 17 | 14.4% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Indecency, 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.