FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 September 2016
Introduction
On 16 September 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1331 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1388 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1331
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (417)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (182)
Where the complaints came from
On 16 September 2016, the 1331 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 903 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 182 | 13.7% |
| Florida | 104 | 7.8% |
| Texas | 83 | 6.2% |
| New York | 81 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 67 | 5.0% |
| Maryland | 59 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 57 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 44 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 42 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 566 | 42.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1017 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1017 | 76.4% |
| Internet | 170 | 12.8% |
| TV | 121 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1017 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 417 | 41.0% |
| Robocalls | 242 | 23.8% |
| Billing | 204 | 20.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 27 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 26 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 23 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 22 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 0.5% |
| 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
170 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 32.9% |
| Availability | 48 | 28.2% |
| Speed | 26 | 15.3% |
| Privacy | 17 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 8 | 4.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 47.1% |
| Availability | 28 | 23.1% |
| Equipment | 12 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 6.6% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
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.