FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 December 2016
Introduction
On 28 December 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 952 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 654 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 952
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (363)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (116)
Where the complaints came from
Across 682 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 952 complaints were recorded on 28 December 2016. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 116 | 12.2% |
| Florida | 87 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 62 | 6.5% |
| New York | 48 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 4.8% |
| Illinois | 42 | 4.4% |
| Georgia | 40 | 4.2% |
| Maryland | 38 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 29 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 29 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 411 | 43.2% |
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 610 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 610 | 64.1% |
| Internet | 170 | 17.9% |
| TV | 142 | 14.9% |
| Radio | 27 | 2.8% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
610 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 363 | 59.5% |
| Billing | 122 | 20.0% |
| Equipment | 38 | 6.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 4.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 15 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.7% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided 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
170 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 31.8% |
| Availability | 35 | 20.6% |
| Speed | 27 | 15.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 20 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 18 | 10.6% |
| Interference | 8 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.7% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
142 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 77 | 54.2% |
| Availability | 29 | 20.4% |
| Equipment | 14 | 9.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 5.6% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.2% |
| Indecency | 5 | 3.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
363 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 38.1% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (505) 455-3644 | 5 | 1.4% |
| (209) 251-4010 | 4 | 1.1% |
| (714) 230-1209 | 4 | 1.1% |
| (207) 540-1795 | 3 | 0.8% |
| (317) 616-9148 | 3 | 0.8% |
| (802) 661-0076 | 3 | 0.8% |
| (843) 868-8061 | 3 | 0.8% |
| (213) 266-7289 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (253) 583-7711 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (301) 200-1692 | 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.
- (505) 455-3644 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.