FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 February 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 954 consumer complaints on 13 February 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 337 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 480 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 954
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (480)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (98)
Where the complaints came from
The 954 complaints recorded on 13 February 2017 were submitted from 633 cities across 52 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 98 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 67 | 7.0% |
| Florida | 60 | 6.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 60 | 6.3% |
| New York | 54 | 5.7% |
| Maryland | 47 | 4.9% |
| Georgia | 39 | 4.1% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 32 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 423 | 44.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 662 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 662 | 69.4% |
| Internet | 125 | 13.1% |
| TV | 97 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 64 | 6.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
662 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 480 | 72.5% |
| Billing | 92 | 13.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 3.2% |
| Equipment | 21 | 3.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 44.8% |
| Availability | 22 | 17.6% |
| Speed | 21 | 16.8% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 5.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 50.5% |
| Availability | 15 | 15.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 14.4% |
| Equipment | 12 | 12.4% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
64 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 26 | 40.6% |
| Pirate Radio | 17 | 26.6% |
| Indecency | 16 | 25.0% |
| Availability | 2 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.1% |
| Billing | 1 | 1.6% |
Interference and Pirate Radio accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
480 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 50.3% 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 | 12 | 2.5% |
| (516) 231-0987 | 6 | 1.3% |
| (480) 829-0810 | 4 | 0.8% |
| (610) 628-4164 | 4 | 0.8% |
| (361) 729-9845 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (513) 297-4439 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (602) 494-1107 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (646) 499-4472 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (703) 349-0539 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (251) 304-5508 | 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.