FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 March 2016
Introduction
A total of 385 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 26 March 2016, complaint volume fell from 901 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 43 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 140 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 385
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (140)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (60)
Where the complaints came from
Across 306 cities in 43 states and territories, a total of 385 complaints were recorded on 26 March 2016. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 60 | 15.6% |
| Florida | 40 | 10.4% |
| Ohio | 23 | 6.0% |
| Texas | 23 | 6.0% |
| New York | 19 | 4.9% |
| New Jersey | 17 | 4.4% |
| Tennessee | 14 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 13 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 13 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 12 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 151 | 39.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 4 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 253 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 253 | 65.7% |
| Internet | 71 | 18.4% |
| TV | 52 | 13.5% |
| Radio | 9 | 2.3% |
Phone complaints
253 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 140 | 55.3% |
| Robocalls | 51 | 20.2% |
| Billing | 24 | 9.5% |
| Privacy | 9 | 3.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 2.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.4% |
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
71 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 33.8% |
| Speed | 18 | 25.4% |
| Availability | 9 | 12.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 9.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.2% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 38.5% |
| Availability | 12 | 23.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 11.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 11.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 7.7% |
| Indecency | 2 | 3.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.9% |
Billing and Availability 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.