FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 January 2017

Introduction

On 6 January 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 947 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1079 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.

Key statistics

Total complaints
947
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (406)
Most reported state/territory
California (122)

Where the complaints came from

The 947 complaints recorded on 6 January 2017 were submitted from 651 cities across 51 states and territories. 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 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 122 12.9%
Florida 77 8.1%
Texas 73 7.7%
Maryland 57 6.0%
New York 51 5.4%
Illinois 36 3.8%
Pennsylvania 35 3.7%
Michigan 34 3.6%
Georgia 33 3.5%
Arizona 31 3.3%
Other states and territories 397 41.9%

What the complaints were about

A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 620 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 620 65.5%
TV 161 17.0%
Internet 136 14.4%
Radio 27 2.9%
Emergency 3 0.3%

Phone complaints

620 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 406 65.5%
Billing 103 16.6%
Availability (including rural call completion) 27 4.4%
Equipment 25 4.0%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 20 3.2%
Interference (including signal jammers) 12 1.9%
Privacy 10 1.6%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 7 1.1%
Junk Faxes 7 1.1%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 0.3%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 1 0.2%

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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.

TV complaints

161 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 73 45.3%
Availability 57 35.4%
Equipment 13 8.1%
Interference 8 5.0%
Indecency 7 4.3%
Loud Commercials 2 1.2%
Privacy 1 0.6%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Internet complaints

136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 52 38.2%
Availability 26 19.1%
Speed 26 19.1%
Interference 11 8.1%
Equipment 9 6.6%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 7 5.1%
Privacy 5 3.7%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.

Unwanted calls

406 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 42.9% 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
(984) 255-0884 12 3.0%
(219) 962-7640 4 1.0%
(386) 479-7686 4 1.0%
(561) 536-5625 3 0.7%
(702) 568-8902 3 0.7%
(720) 440-5807 3 0.7%
(888) 665-1417 3 0.7%
(209) 407-5633 2 0.5%
(216) 502-4541 2 0.5%
(253) 875-7722 2 0.5%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(888) 665-1417 5 1.2%
(984) 255-0884 3 0.7%
(855) 904-7781 2 0.5%
(219) 962-7640 1 0.2%
(225) 341-6659 1 0.2%
(240) 855-0967 1 0.2%
(253) 780-8239 1 0.2%
(254) 789-5892 1 0.2%
(270) 594-5161 1 0.2%
(287) 471-7730 1 0.2%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (888) 665-1417 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (984) 255-0884 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 6 January 2017.

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.