FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 February 2017
Introduction
On Tuesday, 7 February 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1292 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 975 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 609 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1292
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (609)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (139)
Where the complaints came from
The 1292 complaints recorded on 7 February 2017 were submitted from 837 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 139 | 10.8% |
| Florida | 110 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 105 | 8.1% |
| New York | 73 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 58 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 56 | 4.3% |
| Michigan | 50 | 3.9% |
| Maryland | 39 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.0% |
| Illinois | 38 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 572 | 44.3% |
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 879 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 879 | 68.0% |
| Internet | 221 | 17.1% |
| TV | 133 | 10.3% |
| Radio | 49 | 3.8% |
| Emergency | 7 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
879 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 609 | 69.3% |
| Billing | 125 | 14.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 42 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 17 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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.
Internet complaints
221 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 28.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 43 | 19.5% |
| Availability | 42 | 19.0% |
| Interference | 21 | 9.5% |
| Speed | 21 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 18 | 8.1% |
| Privacy | 13 | 5.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
133 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 78 | 58.6% |
| Availability | 22 | 16.5% |
| Indecency | 10 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
49 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 23 | 46.9% |
| Indecency | 18 | 36.7% |
| Pirate Radio | 6 | 12.2% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.0% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.0% |
Interference and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 609 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 47.1% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (317) 491-6397 | 9 | 1.5% |
| (253) 582-8342 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (305) 985-5505 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (317) 550-4367 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (360) 491-8047 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (518) 618-3423 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (559) 205-9650 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (657) 275-1404 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (800) 255-1412 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (813) 993-0678 | 3 | 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.
- (317) 491-6397 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.