FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 September 2016
Introduction
On 20 September 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1492 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1381 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1492
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (395)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (148)
Where the complaints came from
The 1492 complaints recorded on 20 September 2016 were submitted from 975 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 9.9% |
| Florida | 140 | 9.4% |
| New York | 94 | 6.3% |
| Texas | 94 | 6.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 74 | 5.0% |
| Maryland | 69 | 4.6% |
| Ohio | 67 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 51 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 50 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 44 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 658 | 44.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1110 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1110 | 74.4% |
| Internet | 205 | 13.7% |
| TV | 127 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 44 | 2.9% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 395 | 35.6% |
| Robocalls | 305 | 27.5% |
| Billing | 241 | 21.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 3.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 35 | 3.2% |
| Equipment | 29 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 29 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
205 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 71 | 34.6% |
| Availability | 35 | 17.1% |
| Speed | 32 | 15.6% |
| Privacy | 22 | 10.7% |
| Interference | 20 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 17 | 8.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 3.9% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
127 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 67 | 52.8% |
| Availability | 23 | 18.1% |
| Interference | 11 | 8.7% |
| Indecency | 10 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 1.6% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
44 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 27 | 61.4% |
| Indecency | 5 | 11.4% |
| Pirate Radio | 4 | 9.1% |
| Availability | 2 | 4.5% |
| Billing | 2 | 4.5% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.5% |
Interference and Indecency 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.