FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 August 2016
Introduction
A total of 1124 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 5 August 2016, complaint volume fell from 1187 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1124
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (355)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (146)
Where the complaints came from
The 1124 complaints recorded on 5 August 2016 originated from 758 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 146 | 13.0% |
| Florida | 119 | 10.6% |
| New York | 64 | 5.7% |
| Texas | 63 | 5.6% |
| Ohio | 55 | 4.9% |
| Maryland | 48 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 47 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 3.9% |
| Virginia | 42 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 37 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 459 | 40.8% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 102 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 792 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 792 | 70.5% |
| Internet | 167 | 14.9% |
| TV | 133 | 11.8% |
| Radio | 26 | 2.3% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
792 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 355 | 44.8% |
| Robocalls | 238 | 30.1% |
| Billing | 85 | 10.7% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| 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
167 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 28.1% |
| Availability | 38 | 22.8% |
| Speed | 37 | 22.2% |
| Equipment | 14 | 8.4% |
| Privacy | 14 | 8.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 5.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 4.8% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
133 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 42.1% |
| Availability | 23 | 17.3% |
| Equipment | 18 | 13.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 10.5% |
| Indecency | 11 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.8% |
Billing was the most commonly reported issue in this category, while other issues occurred less frequently.
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.