FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 July 2016
Introduction
On Tuesday, 26 July 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1219 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1094 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 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
- 1219
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (349)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (158)
Where the complaints came from
Across 827 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1219 complaints were recorded on 26 July 2016. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 158 | 13.0% |
| Texas | 105 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 85 | 7.0% |
| New York | 72 | 5.9% |
| Maryland | 63 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 60 | 4.9% |
| Illinois | 51 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 41 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 32 | 2.6% |
| Virginia | 31 | 2.5% |
| Other states and territories | 517 | 42.4% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 847 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 847 | 69.5% |
| Internet | 223 | 18.3% |
| TV | 112 | 9.2% |
| Radio | 30 | 2.5% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
847 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 349 | 41.2% |
| Robocalls | 223 | 26.3% |
| Billing | 104 | 12.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 36 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 30 | 3.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 24 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
223 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 68 | 30.5% |
| Availability | 61 | 27.4% |
| Speed | 30 | 13.5% |
| Privacy | 20 | 9.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 18 | 8.1% |
| Equipment | 16 | 7.2% |
| Interference | 10 | 4.5% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 48.2% |
| Availability | 24 | 21.4% |
| Equipment | 14 | 12.5% |
| Indecency | 8 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
30 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 23 | 76.7% |
| Billing | 2 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 6.7% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 6.7% |
| Indecency | 1 | 3.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Billing, 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.