FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 January 2017
Introduction
On 17 January 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 940 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 712 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 441 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 940
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (441)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (119)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 17 January 2017 show 940 complaints originating from 638 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 119 | 12.7% |
| Texas | 61 | 6.5% |
| New York | 60 | 6.4% |
| Florida | 59 | 6.3% |
| Maryland | 55 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 34 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 33 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 31 | 3.3% |
| Washington | 30 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 414 | 44.0% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 86 different cities.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 619 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 619 | 65.9% |
| Internet | 172 | 18.3% |
| TV | 92 | 9.8% |
| Radio | 52 | 5.5% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
619 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 441 | 71.2% |
| Billing | 88 | 14.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 23 | 3.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
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
172 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 33.1% |
| Availability | 41 | 23.8% |
| Speed | 29 | 16.9% |
| Interference | 14 | 8.1% |
| Privacy | 14 | 8.1% |
| Equipment | 10 | 5.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 4.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 50.0% |
| Availability | 36 | 39.1% |
| Equipment | 9 | 9.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 39 | 75.0% |
| Indecency | 6 | 11.5% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 3 | 5.8% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 5.8% |
| Availability | 1 | 1.9% |
Interference and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
441 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 46.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (351) 207-8922 | 9 | 2.0% |
| (240) 447-4572 | 4 | 0.9% |
| (970) 870-7929 | 4 | 0.9% |
| (347) 535-1781 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (800) 255-1412 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (802) 661-0062 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (925) 778-1630 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (201) 535-4387 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (312) 429-4975 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (315) 368-4025 | 2 | 0.5% |
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.
- (351) 207-8922 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.