FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 May 2016
Introduction
On 18 May 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1639 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1794 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1639
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (435)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (237)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1639 complaints were recorded on 18 May 2016, with reports originating from 969 cities in 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 237 | 14.5% |
| Florida | 139 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 139 | 8.5% |
| New York | 82 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 71 | 4.3% |
| Michigan | 58 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 56 | 3.4% |
| North Carolina | 53 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 51 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 50 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 697 | 42.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 984 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 984 | 60.0% |
| Internet | 504 | 30.8% |
| TV | 118 | 7.2% |
| Radio | 28 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
984 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 435 | 44.2% |
| Robocalls | 220 | 22.4% |
| Billing | 127 | 12.9% |
| Privacy | 39 | 4.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 38 | 3.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 38 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 36 | 3.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 33 | 3.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
504 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 30.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 314 | 62.3% |
| Billing | 65 | 12.9% |
| Availability | 54 | 10.7% |
| Speed | 30 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 17 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 13 | 2.6% |
| Interference | 11 | 2.2% |
Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 50.8% |
| Availability | 18 | 15.3% |
| Indecency | 15 | 12.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
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.