FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 September 2016
Introduction
A total of 1237 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 22 September 2016, this was lower than the 1346 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 53 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
- 1237
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (398)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (180)
Where the complaints came from
The 1237 complaints recorded on 22 September 2016 originated from 843 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 180 | 14.6% |
| Florida | 91 | 7.4% |
| Texas | 80 | 6.5% |
| New York | 68 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 4.3% |
| New Jersey | 47 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 45 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 37 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 553 | 44.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 961 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 961 | 77.7% |
| Internet | 161 | 13.0% |
| TV | 85 | 6.9% |
| Radio | 27 | 2.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
961 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 398 | 41.4% |
| Robocalls | 229 | 23.8% |
| Billing | 191 | 19.9% |
| Equipment | 42 | 4.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 24 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 15 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
161 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 37.3% |
| Availability | 32 | 19.9% |
| Speed | 26 | 16.1% |
| Interference | 15 | 9.3% |
| Privacy | 15 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 3.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 45.9% |
| Equipment | 11 | 12.9% |
| Availability | 10 | 11.8% |
| Indecency | 10 | 11.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing accounted for the largest share 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.