FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 March 2016
Introduction
On Monday, 21 March 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 933 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 246 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 933
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (302)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (109)
Where the complaints came from
Across 625 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 933 complaints were recorded on 21 March 2016. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 109 | 11.7% |
| Florida | 64 | 6.9% |
| Texas | 58 | 6.2% |
| New York | 54 | 5.8% |
| Illinois | 39 | 4.2% |
| Maryland | 37 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 33 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 33 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 29 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 441 | 47.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 680 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 680 | 72.9% |
| Internet | 138 | 14.8% |
| TV | 91 | 9.8% |
| Radio | 20 | 2.1% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
680 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 302 | 44.4% |
| Robocalls | 154 | 22.6% |
| Billing | 91 | 13.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 35 | 5.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 32 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 16 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 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 14.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 30.4% |
| Availability | 31 | 22.5% |
| Privacy | 17 | 12.3% |
| Equipment | 14 | 10.1% |
| Speed | 14 | 10.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 8.0% |
| Interference | 9 | 6.5% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Privacy.
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 51.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 17.6% |
| Availability | 8 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.5% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, 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.