FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 August 2016
Introduction
On 26 August 2016, 1289 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1299 complaints recorded 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
- 1289
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (375)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (148)
Where the complaints came from
The 1289 complaints recorded on 26 August 2016 originated from 772 cities across 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in District of Columbia, where Washington accounted for 58 of the 71 complaints recorded in the state.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 148 | 11.5% |
| Florida | 117 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 84 | 6.5% |
| District of Columbia | 71 | 5.5% |
| New York | 68 | 5.3% |
| Virginia | 66 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 63 | 4.9% |
| Michigan | 40 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 38 | 2.9% |
| North Carolina | 38 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 556 | 43.1% |
Location highlights
- Only two cities were associated with complaints in District of Columbia, Washington and Washington Dc.
- A large share of complaints in District of Columbia originated from Washington, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 983 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 983 | 76.3% |
| Internet | 156 | 12.1% |
| TV | 115 | 8.9% |
| Radio | 22 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 4 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
983 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 375 | 38.1% |
| Robocalls | 258 | 26.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 164 | 16.7% |
| Billing | 84 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 26 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
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
156 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 44 | 28.2% |
| Billing | 34 | 21.8% |
| Speed | 33 | 21.2% |
| Privacy | 14 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 12 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 5.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Billing and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 40.9% |
| Availability | 25 | 21.7% |
| Equipment | 15 | 13.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 9.6% |
| Indecency | 10 | 8.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing 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.