FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 September 2016
Introduction
A total of 998 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 6 September 2016, complaint volume increased from 339 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 998
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (298)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (122)
Where the complaints came from
The 998 complaints recorded on 6 September 2016 originated from 660 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 | 122 | 12.2% |
| Florida | 86 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 69 | 6.9% |
| New York | 61 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 4.7% |
| Maryland | 41 | 4.1% |
| Georgia | 39 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 35 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 34 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 30 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 433 | 43.4% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 713 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 713 | 71.4% |
| Internet | 149 | 14.9% |
| TV | 107 | 10.7% |
| Radio | 23 | 2.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
713 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 298 | 41.8% |
| Robocalls | 210 | 29.5% |
| Billing | 75 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 34 | 4.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 22 | 3.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
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
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 38.9% |
| Availability | 26 | 17.4% |
| Speed | 25 | 16.8% |
| Equipment | 13 | 8.7% |
| Interference | 13 | 8.7% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 4.0% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 51.4% |
| Availability | 21 | 19.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 8.4% |
| Indecency | 8 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
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.