FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 February 2017
Introduction
On 22 February 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1095 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1075 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 567 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1095
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (567)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (171)
Where the complaints came from
The 1095 complaints recorded on 22 February 2017 originated from 730 cities across 49 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 171 | 15.6% |
| Florida | 103 | 9.4% |
| Texas | 82 | 7.5% |
| New York | 77 | 7.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 58 | 5.3% |
| New Jersey | 36 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 35 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 35 | 3.2% |
| Maryland | 35 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 422 | 38.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 775 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 775 | 70.8% |
| Internet | 154 | 14.1% |
| TV | 133 | 12.1% |
| Radio | 29 | 2.6% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
775 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 567 | 73.2% |
| Billing | 102 | 13.2% |
| Privacy | 20 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.3% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.3% |
| 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Privacy and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
154 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 33.8% |
| Availability | 35 | 22.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 20 | 13.0% |
| Speed | 18 | 11.7% |
| Privacy | 13 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality among the most common.
TV complaints
133 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 89 | 66.9% |
| Availability | 19 | 14.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 8.3% |
| Indecency | 9 | 6.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 2.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 567 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 51.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (716) 926-4334 | 6 | 1.1% |
| (480) 474-0737 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (215) 845-9018 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (347) 571-5992 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (678) 261-0119 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (718) 475-6409 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (800) 255-1412 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (208) 766-2529 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (213) 684-3371 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (240) 447-4572 | 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.
- (716) 926-4334 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.