Conformity Magazine

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released quarterly reports on inquiries and complaints made by consumers to the agency’s Consumer & Government Affairs Bureau during the first and second quarters of 2007.

The Bureau regularly tracks inquiries and complaints from consumers on matters within the scope of the Commission’s jurisdiction. In the area of wireline telecommunications matters, the Bureau is particularly interested in instances of “cramming” (the placing of unauthorized, misleading or deceptive charges on a telephone bill) and “slamming” (the practice of changing a subscriber’s telecommunications service provider or calling plan without the subscriber’s permission). The Commission also tracks violations of the Federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which includes regulations covering both the “Do Not Call” registry and unsolicited fax advertisements.

During the period from January through March 2007, the Bureau received 14,566 total complaints regarding wireline telecommunication services, with 11,611 complaints in the area of TCPA issues alone. This compares with 23,358 total complaints during the January-March 2006 period, with 19,725 involving with TCPA issues.

In the area of inquiries, the Bureau also received 9802 inquiries in connection with wireline telecommunications, including 7556 inquiries dealing with TCPA issues, during the period from January through March 2007. This compares with 31,231 total inquiries during the first quarter of calendar year 2006, of which 20,648 were related to TCPA issues.

During the period from April through June 2007, the Bureau received 20,188 total complaints regarding wireline telecommunication services, with 13,877 complaints in connection with TCPA. This compares with 15,753 total complaints during the April-June 2006 period, with 12,433 involving with TCPA issues.

In the area of inquiries, the Bureau also received 6296 inquiries in connection with wireline telecommunications, including 4124 inquiries dealing with TCPA issues, during the period from April through June March 2007. This compares with 35,324 total inquiries during the second quarter of calendar year 2006, of which 23,030 were related to TCPA issues.

Our readers can view the complete text of the Commission’s Quarterly Reports at this link.
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