FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 August 2016
Introduction
On Wednesday, 31 August 2016, 1222 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1353 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 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
- 1222
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (417)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (132)
Where the complaints came from
On 31 August 2016, the 1222 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 786 cities across 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory 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 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 | 132 | 10.8% |
| Florida | 107 | 8.8% |
| Texas | 104 | 8.5% |
| Maryland | 78 | 6.4% |
| New York | 69 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 57 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 53 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.3% |
| Tennessee | 40 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 500 | 40.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 912 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 912 | 74.6% |
| Internet | 162 | 13.3% |
| TV | 102 | 8.3% |
| Radio | 40 | 3.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
912 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 417 | 45.7% |
| Robocalls | 272 | 29.8% |
| Billing | 82 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 29 | 3.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 2.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 13 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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
162 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 26.5% |
| Availability | 35 | 21.6% |
| Speed | 35 | 21.6% |
| Interference | 16 | 9.9% |
| Equipment | 14 | 8.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 10 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 9 | 5.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 41.2% |
| Availability | 24 | 23.5% |
| Equipment | 18 | 17.6% |
| Privacy | 8 | 7.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.9% |
| Indecency | 3 | 2.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
40 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 29 | 72.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 15.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 5.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, 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.