FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 December 2016

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 371 consumer complaints on Saturday, 10 December 2016 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 860 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 45 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.

Key statistics

Total complaints
371
States & territories reporting
45
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (126)
Most reported state/territory
California (46)

Where the complaints came from

The 371 complaints recorded on 10 December 2016 originated from 289 cities across 45 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

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 46 12.4%
Florida 35 9.4%
Maryland 27 7.3%
Pennsylvania 27 7.3%
Texas 24 6.5%
New York 23 6.2%
Arizona 16 4.3%
Georgia 16 4.3%
Illinois 12 3.2%
Ohio 12 3.2%
Other states and territories 133 35.8%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 213 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 213 57.4%
Internet 77 20.8%
TV 51 13.7%
Radio 28 7.5%
Accessibility 1 0.3%
Emergency 1 0.3%

Phone complaints

213 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 57.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 126 59.2%
Billing 36 16.9%
Availability (including rural call completion) 17 8.0%
Equipment 17 8.0%
Privacy 7 3.3%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 6 2.8%
Junk Faxes 2 0.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 1 0.5%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 1 0.5%

As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

Internet complaints

77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 27 35.1%
Availability 15 19.5%
Speed 11 14.3%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 10 13.0%
Equipment 7 9.1%
Privacy 4 5.2%
Interference 3 3.9%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.

TV complaints

51 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 24 47.1%
Loud Commercials 11 21.6%
Availability 4 7.8%
Equipment 4 7.8%
Indecency 4 7.8%
Interference 3 5.9%
Privacy 1 2.0%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Unwanted calls

There were 126 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 34% 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
(877) 637-7343 5 4.0%
(516) 325-9043 2 1.6%
(541) 850-0438 2 1.6%
(619) 584-0093 2 1.6%
(201) 285-8509 1 0.8%
(202) 789-5588 1 0.8%
(202) 994-1533 1 0.8%
(203) 242-8337 1 0.8%
(205) 224-0863 1 0.8%
(206) 336-3495 1 0.8%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(844) 308-6816 8 6.3%
(202) 789-5588 1 0.8%
(206) 336-3495 1 0.8%
(209) 217-3049 1 0.8%
(216) 245-0774 1 0.8%
(221) 557-9468 1 0.8%
(304) 908-6004 1 0.8%
(346) 208-1112 1 0.8%
(415) 376-1448 1 0.8%
(440) 934-2317 1 0.8%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (844) 308-6816 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • (877) 637-7343 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 10 December 2016.

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.