FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 August 2016
Introduction
On 24 August 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1336 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1375 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1336
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (468)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (175)
Where the complaints came from
The 1336 complaints recorded on 24 August 2016 originated from 853 cities across 50 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 | 175 | 13.1% |
| Florida | 110 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 105 | 7.9% |
| New York | 86 | 6.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 56 | 4.2% |
| Maryland | 52 | 3.9% |
| Washington | 50 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 47 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 45 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 563 | 42.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1002 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1002 | 75.0% |
| Internet | 157 | 11.8% |
| TV | 128 | 9.6% |
| Accessibility | 21 | 1.6% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 7 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1002 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 468 | 46.7% |
| Robocalls | 299 | 29.8% |
| Billing | 88 | 8.8% |
| Privacy | 36 | 3.6% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 21 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
157 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 33.1% |
| Speed | 26 | 16.6% |
| Availability | 25 | 15.9% |
| Equipment | 14 | 8.9% |
| Interference | 14 | 8.9% |
| Privacy | 14 | 8.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 12 | 7.6% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
128 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 65 | 50.8% |
| Availability | 19 | 14.8% |
| Equipment | 17 | 13.3% |
| Interference | 11 | 8.6% |
| Indecency | 7 | 5.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported 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.