FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 February 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1048 consumer complaints on Friday, 10 February 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1140 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 570 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1048
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (570)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (121)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1048 complaints were recorded on 10 February 2017, with reports originating from 688 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 121 | 11.5% |
| New York | 73 | 7.0% |
| Florida | 62 | 5.9% |
| Illinois | 55 | 5.2% |
| Maryland | 54 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 4.8% |
| New Jersey | 45 | 4.3% |
| Texas | 41 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 40 | 3.8% |
| Massachusetts | 35 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 472 | 45.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 751 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 751 | 71.7% |
| Internet | 138 | 13.2% |
| TV | 82 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 69 | 6.6% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
751 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 570 | 75.9% |
| Billing | 71 | 9.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail 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
138 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 42.8% |
| Speed | 30 | 21.7% |
| Availability | 26 | 18.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Speed, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 65.9% |
| Availability | 10 | 12.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 11.0% |
| Indecency | 7 | 8.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
69 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 31 | 44.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 22 | 31.9% |
| Indecency | 15 | 21.7% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
570 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 54.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (317) 491-6397 | 10 | 1.8% |
| (202) 844-1673 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (248) 327-1667 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (417) 334-4409 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (609) 225-5799 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (623) 939-0871 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (858) 900-3090 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (972) 266-5879 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (201) 754-1393 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (231) 978-9876 | 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.
- (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.