FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 November 2016
Introduction
On 1 November 2016, 1129 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 901 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1129
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (386)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (165)
Where the complaints came from
On 1 November 2016, the 1129 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 745 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 165 | 14.6% |
| Florida | 97 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 74 | 6.6% |
| Illinois | 55 | 4.9% |
| New York | 54 | 4.8% |
| Washington | 46 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 44 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 43 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 43 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.8% |
| Other states and territories | 460 | 40.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 659 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 659 | 58.4% |
| Internet | 312 | 27.6% |
| TV | 114 | 10.1% |
| Radio | 34 | 3.0% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
659 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 58.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 386 | 58.6% |
| Billing | 129 | 19.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 5.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 33 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 28 | 4.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 15 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 1.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Junk Faxes.
Internet complaints
312 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 27.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 114 | 36.5% |
| Billing | 109 | 34.9% |
| Availability | 44 | 14.1% |
| Speed | 19 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 12 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 2.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 1.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 55.3% |
| Availability | 17 | 14.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.9% |
| Indecency | 9 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
34 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 20 | 58.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 17.6% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 8.8% |
| Availability | 2 | 5.9% |
| Billing | 2 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 386 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 34.2% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (850) 692-8796 | 7 | 1.8% |
| (330) 459-7597 | 3 | 0.8% |
| (401) 200-8767 | 3 | 0.8% |
| (201) 645-4190 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (262) 620-7758 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (337) 772-7853 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (339) 204-9443 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (407) 874-1110 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (480) 435-9567 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (508) 281-2623 | 2 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (850) 692-8796 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.