FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 December 2016
Introduction
On Monday, 12 December 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 747 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 276 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 48 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 747
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (310)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (94)
Where the complaints came from
Across 527 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 747 complaints were recorded on 12 December 2016. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 94 | 12.6% |
| Texas | 59 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 47 | 6.3% |
| New York | 37 | 5.0% |
| Illinois | 30 | 4.0% |
| Maryland | 29 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 29 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 28 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 26 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 25 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 339 | 45.4% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 73 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 487 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 487 | 65.2% |
| Internet | 131 | 17.5% |
| TV | 101 | 13.5% |
| Radio | 24 | 3.2% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
487 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 310 | 63.7% |
| Billing | 82 | 16.8% |
| Equipment | 27 | 5.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 3.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 3.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.2% |
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, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
131 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 31.3% |
| Availability | 35 | 26.7% |
| Speed | 20 | 15.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 10.7% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.9% |
| Privacy | 8 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 49.5% |
| Availability | 20 | 19.8% |
| Equipment | 12 | 11.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 7.9% |
| Indecency | 5 | 5.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 310 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 41.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (972) 395-9574 | 5 | 1.6% |
| (609) 337-3144 | 4 | 1.3% |
| (248) 731-0285 | 3 | 1.0% |
| (817) 282-9312 | 3 | 1.0% |
| (214) 272-2078 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (216) 208-7166 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (321) 939-1392 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (469) 646-4466 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (508) 770-1111 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (512) 767-1140 | 2 | 0.6% |
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.
- (972) 395-9574 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.