FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 December 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 871 consumer complaints on 16 December 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 925 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 50 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
- 871
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (351)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (120)
Where the complaints came from
The 871 complaints recorded on 16 December 2016 originated from 570 cities across 50 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 42 of the 65 complaints recorded in the state.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 120 | 13.8% |
| Maryland | 65 | 7.5% |
| New York | 49 | 5.6% |
| Texas | 49 | 5.6% |
| Florida | 44 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 38 | 4.4% |
| Washington | 29 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 28 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 27 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 383 | 44.0% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Maryland were heavily concentrated in Frederick, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
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 569 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 569 | 65.3% |
| Internet | 144 | 16.5% |
| TV | 98 | 11.3% |
| Radio | 57 | 6.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
569 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 351 | 61.7% |
| Billing | 110 | 19.3% |
| Equipment | 34 | 6.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 3.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 17 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 1.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.4% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
144 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 34.0% |
| Availability | 20 | 13.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 19 | 13.2% |
| Speed | 19 | 13.2% |
| Equipment | 14 | 9.7% |
| Privacy | 14 | 9.7% |
| Interference | 9 | 6.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality among the most common.
TV complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 52.0% |
| Availability | 19 | 19.4% |
| Equipment | 9 | 9.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.1% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 47 | 82.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 5 | 8.8% |
| Indecency | 3 | 5.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.8% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.8% |
Interference and Pirate Radio accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 351 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 40.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (888) 727-1127 | 6 | 1.7% |
| (270) 216-4676 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (855) 653-4481 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (888) 307-0680 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (951) 307-8973 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (206) 472-6030 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (210) 510-4787 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (240) 447-4572 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (323) 205-1668 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (323) 900-0823 | 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.
- (888) 727-1127 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.