FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 August 2016
Introduction
A total of 1270 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 19 August 2016, complaint volume fell from 1313 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1270
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (369)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (148)
Where the complaints came from
On 19 August 2016, the 1270 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 794 cities across 49 states and territories. 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 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 | 148 | 11.7% |
| Texas | 103 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 93 | 7.3% |
| New York | 74 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 69 | 5.4% |
| Maryland | 58 | 4.6% |
| Georgia | 53 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 47 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 41 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 544 | 42.8% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 862 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 862 | 67.9% |
| Internet | 236 | 18.6% |
| TV | 112 | 8.8% |
| Radio | 35 | 2.8% |
| Accessibility | 18 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
862 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 369 | 42.8% |
| Robocalls | 275 | 31.9% |
| Billing | 73 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 30 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 28 | 3.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 22 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 0.7% |
| 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
236 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 81 | 34.3% |
| Availability | 49 | 20.8% |
| Billing | 42 | 17.8% |
| Speed | 28 | 11.9% |
| Privacy | 14 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 12 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 10 | 4.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Open Internet/Net Neutrality, Availability and Billing.
TV complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 43.8% |
| Availability | 20 | 17.9% |
| Equipment | 19 | 17.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 8.9% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 27 | 77.1% |
| Availability | 2 | 5.7% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 5.7% |
| Indecency | 2 | 5.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Availability, 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.