FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 March 2016
Introduction
On 24 March 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 955 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1056 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 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
- 955
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (363)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (123)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 955 complaints were recorded on 24 March 2016, with reports originating from 660 cities in 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 123 | 12.9% |
| New York | 87 | 9.1% |
| Florida | 66 | 6.9% |
| Texas | 59 | 6.2% |
| Georgia | 42 | 4.4% |
| Maryland | 34 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 33 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 32 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 30 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 416 | 43.6% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 84 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 750 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 750 | 78.5% |
| Internet | 123 | 12.9% |
| TV | 68 | 7.1% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
750 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 363 | 48.4% |
| Robocalls | 214 | 28.5% |
| Billing | 56 | 7.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 30 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 25 | 3.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 17 | 2.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
123 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 34.1% |
| Availability | 20 | 16.3% |
| Privacy | 15 | 12.2% |
| Interference | 14 | 11.4% |
| Speed | 14 | 11.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Privacy.
TV complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 52.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 11.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 11.8% |
| Availability | 6 | 8.8% |
| Indecency | 5 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
Billing and Equipment were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.