FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 May 2016
Introduction
On 3 May 2016, 1363 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1137 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1363
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (373)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (192)
Where the complaints came from
The 1363 complaints recorded on 3 May 2016 were submitted from 835 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 192 | 14.1% |
| Texas | 137 | 10.1% |
| Florida | 119 | 8.7% |
| Maryland | 75 | 5.5% |
| New York | 62 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 58 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 43 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 40 | 2.9% |
| Georgia | 38 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 545 | 40.0% |
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 953 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 953 | 69.9% |
| Internet | 210 | 15.4% |
| TV | 139 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 57 | 4.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
953 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 373 | 39.1% |
| Robocalls | 229 | 24.0% |
| Billing | 117 | 12.3% |
| Equipment | 55 | 5.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 49 | 5.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 35 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 34 | 3.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 32 | 3.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 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
210 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 74 | 35.2% |
| Availability | 46 | 21.9% |
| Speed | 31 | 14.8% |
| Interference | 18 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 14 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 14 | 6.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 6.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
139 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 38.1% |
| Availability | 34 | 24.5% |
| Equipment | 21 | 15.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 8.6% |
| Indecency | 7 | 5.0% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.4% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 50 | 87.7% |
| Availability | 3 | 5.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 3.5% |
| Billing | 1 | 1.8% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.8% |
Interference 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.