FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 January 2017
Introduction
On 26 January 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1077 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1206 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 568 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1077
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (568)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (138)
Where the complaints came from
On 26 January 2017, the 1077 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 697 cities across 51 states and territories. 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 138 | 12.8% |
| Texas | 88 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 77 | 7.1% |
| New York | 63 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 61 | 5.7% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 37 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 34 | 3.2% |
| Maryland | 32 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 469 | 43.5% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 760 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 760 | 70.6% |
| Internet | 186 | 17.3% |
| TV | 90 | 8.4% |
| Radio | 34 | 3.2% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
760 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 568 | 74.7% |
| Billing | 88 | 11.6% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 2.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
186 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 67 | 36.0% |
| Availability | 32 | 17.2% |
| Speed | 29 | 15.6% |
| Interference | 18 | 9.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 18 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 11 | 5.9% |
| Privacy | 11 | 5.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 62.2% |
| Availability | 22 | 24.4% |
| Equipment | 9 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
34 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 16 | 47.1% |
| Indecency | 9 | 26.5% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 3 | 8.8% |
| Availability | 2 | 5.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 5.9% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.9% |
Interference and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 568 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 52.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (575) 762-0968 | 8 | 1.4% |
| (507) 427-2179 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (760) 980-7043 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (201) 285-1836 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (309) 518-9595 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (800) 255-1412 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (972) 370-5238 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (989) 644-6000 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (202) 618-9783 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (213) 266-9559 | 2 | 0.4% |
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.
- (575) 762-0968 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.