FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 February 2017
Introduction
On 21 February 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1075 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 709 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 529 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1075
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (529)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (140)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 21 February 2017 show 1075 complaints originating from 714 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. 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 | 140 | 13.0% |
| New York | 81 | 7.5% |
| Florida | 80 | 7.4% |
| Texas | 75 | 7.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 35 | 3.3% |
| Maryland | 33 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 32 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 470 | 43.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 766 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 766 | 71.3% |
| Internet | 145 | 13.5% |
| TV | 130 | 12.1% |
| Radio | 28 | 2.6% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
766 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 529 | 69.1% |
| Billing | 106 | 13.8% |
| Equipment | 42 | 5.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
Internet complaints
145 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 38.6% |
| Availability | 30 | 20.7% |
| Speed | 21 | 14.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 9.7% |
| Privacy | 14 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.4% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
130 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 75 | 57.7% |
| Availability | 19 | 14.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.2% |
| Indecency | 7 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 529 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 49.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (516) 231-0987 | 7 | 1.3% |
| (252) 752-6663 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (347) 571-5992 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (404) 400-1751 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (650) 662-1378 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (707) 545-8010 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (202) 750-5883 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (210) 622-8094 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (212) 777-7345 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (215) 859-5645 | 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.
- (516) 231-0987 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.