FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 November 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 296 consumer complaints on 20 November 2016 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 387 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 43 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 296
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (105)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (41)
Where the complaints came from
The 296 complaints recorded on 20 November 2016 originated from 218 cities across 43 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 41 | 13.9% |
| Maryland | 29 | 9.8% |
| Virginia | 27 | 9.1% |
| Florida | 22 | 7.4% |
| New York | 19 | 6.4% |
| Texas | 16 | 5.4% |
| New Jersey | 14 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 10 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 10 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 9 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 98 | 33.1% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 153 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 153 | 51.7% |
| Internet | 65 | 22.0% |
| TV | 49 | 16.6% |
| Radio | 26 | 8.8% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 1.0% |
Phone complaints
153 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 51.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 105 | 68.6% |
| Billing | 18 | 11.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 12 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 1 | 0.7% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 43.1% |
| Availability | 9 | 13.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 12.3% |
| Privacy | 7 | 10.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.2% |
| Speed | 4 | 6.2% |
Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
49 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 17 | 34.7% |
| Availability | 11 | 22.4% |
| Indecency | 7 | 14.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 12.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 10.2% |
| Interference | 3 | 6.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Indecency.
Unwanted calls
There were 105 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 35.5% 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 | 21 | 20.0% |
| (310) 950-3865 | 9 | 8.6% |
| (424) 543-0298 | 3 | 2.9% |
| (800) 941-4759 | 2 | 1.9% |
| (203) 293-9254 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (203) 654-7575 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (234) 360-1415 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (239) 570-0486 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (240) 245-9541 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (302) 450-7480 | 1 | 1.0% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls 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.