FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 March 2016
Introduction
On 23 March 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1056 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1065 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1056
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (378)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (147)
Where the complaints came from
The 1056 complaints recorded on 23 March 2016 originated from 703 cities across 50 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 | 147 | 13.9% |
| Florida | 83 | 7.9% |
| Texas | 82 | 7.8% |
| New York | 74 | 7.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 35 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 33 | 3.1% |
| Maryland | 32 | 3.0% |
| Colorado | 30 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 452 | 42.8% |
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 806 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 806 | 76.3% |
| Internet | 132 | 12.5% |
| TV | 95 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
806 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 378 | 46.9% |
| Robocalls | 205 | 25.4% |
| Billing | 78 | 9.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 33 | 4.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 26 | 3.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| 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
132 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 37.1% |
| Availability | 25 | 18.9% |
| Interference | 16 | 12.1% |
| Privacy | 13 | 9.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 8.3% |
| Speed | 10 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Interference among the most common.
TV complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 52.6% |
| Availability | 16 | 16.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 12.6% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.5% |
| Indecency | 5 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.1% |
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.