FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 August 2016
Introduction
On Thursday, 11 August 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1309 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1243 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1309
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (438)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (171)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1309 complaints were recorded on 11 August 2016, with reports originating from 853 cities in 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 171 | 13.1% |
| Florida | 104 | 7.9% |
| Texas | 90 | 6.9% |
| New York | 82 | 6.3% |
| Ohio | 55 | 4.2% |
| Maryland | 54 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 50 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 47 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 40 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 559 | 42.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 954 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 954 | 72.9% |
| Internet | 168 | 12.8% |
| TV | 152 | 11.6% |
| Radio | 30 | 2.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
954 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 438 | 45.9% |
| Robocalls | 292 | 30.6% |
| Billing | 92 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 23 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| 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
168 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 28.0% |
| Availability | 42 | 25.0% |
| Speed | 38 | 22.6% |
| Privacy | 18 | 10.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 8 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
152 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 68 | 44.7% |
| Availability | 32 | 21.1% |
| Indecency | 19 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 12 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 11 | 7.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.7% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
30 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 11 | 36.7% |
| Indecency | 8 | 26.7% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 4 | 13.3% |
| Availability | 3 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 2 | 6.7% |
| Billing | 1 | 3.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 3.3% |
Interference and Indecency 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.