FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 November 2016
Introduction
On 19 November 2016, 387 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 892 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 40 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 387
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (142)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (60)
Where the complaints came from
The 387 complaints recorded on 19 November 2016 originated from 291 cities across 40 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 60 | 15.5% |
| Florida | 41 | 10.6% |
| Maryland | 25 | 6.5% |
| Texas | 23 | 5.9% |
| New York | 20 | 5.2% |
| Colorado | 17 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 17 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 13 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 13 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 12 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 146 | 37.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 225 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 225 | 58.1% |
| Internet | 94 | 24.3% |
| TV | 44 | 11.4% |
| Radio | 20 | 5.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
225 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 58.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 142 | 63.1% |
| Billing | 37 | 16.4% |
| Equipment | 14 | 6.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 11 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.4% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 24.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 36.2% |
| Availability | 21 | 22.3% |
| Speed | 14 | 14.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 10 | 10.6% |
| Privacy | 8 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
44 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 17 | 38.6% |
| Availability | 11 | 25.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 13.6% |
| Equipment | 5 | 11.4% |
| Indecency | 3 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 142 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 36.7% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (804) 318-4761 | 6 | 4.2% |
| (310) 950-3865 | 3 | 2.1% |
| (800) 946-0332 | 3 | 2.1% |
| (281) 560-4554 | 2 | 1.4% |
| (320) 582-9749 | 2 | 1.4% |
| (336) 916-2003 | 2 | 1.4% |
| (501) 247-4485 | 2 | 1.4% |
| (646) 517-7568 | 2 | 1.4% |
| (844) 308-6815 | 2 | 1.4% |
| (202) 246-1001 | 1 | 0.7% |
Key patterns
- Live Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (804) 318-4761 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.