FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 September 2016
Introduction
A total of 986 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 2 September 2016, this represented a decline from the 1124 complaints recorded 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
- 986
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (334)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (151)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 2 September 2016 show 986 complaints originating from 645 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 151 | 15.3% |
| Texas | 76 | 7.7% |
| Florida | 74 | 7.5% |
| Maryland | 49 | 5.0% |
| New York | 48 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 33 | 3.3% |
| Colorado | 32 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 31 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 413 | 41.9% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 736 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 736 | 74.6% |
| Internet | 131 | 13.3% |
| TV | 95 | 9.6% |
| Radio | 20 | 2.0% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
736 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 334 | 45.4% |
| Robocalls | 221 | 30.0% |
| Billing | 59 | 8.0% |
| Privacy | 31 | 4.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 2.3% |
| Equipment | 17 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
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
131 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 38.9% |
| Availability | 30 | 22.9% |
| Speed | 24 | 18.3% |
| Privacy | 8 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 4.6% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 50.5% |
| Availability | 21 | 22.1% |
| Equipment | 14 | 14.7% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.2% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability 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.