FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 February 2017
Introduction
On 23 February 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1166 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1095 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 228 complaints. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 588 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1166
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (588)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (228)
Where the complaints came from
The 1166 complaints recorded on 23 February 2017 originated from 727 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was somewhat more concentrated than usual, with California accounting for the largest share of reports. No single city accounted for a significant proportion of the complaints recorded on this date.
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 | 228 | 19.6% |
| Texas | 79 | 6.8% |
| Florida | 71 | 6.1% |
| New York | 58 | 5.0% |
| Ohio | 48 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 44 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 43 | 3.7% |
| Maryland | 37 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 37 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 475 | 40.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 875 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 875 | 75.0% |
| Internet | 138 | 11.8% |
| TV | 120 | 10.3% |
| Radio | 32 | 2.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
875 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 588 | 67.2% |
| Billing | 98 | 11.2% |
| Privacy | 92 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 34 | 3.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Privacy and Equipment.
Internet complaints
138 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 42.0% |
| Availability | 27 | 19.6% |
| Speed | 24 | 17.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 8.0% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 70 | 58.3% |
| Availability | 16 | 13.3% |
| Indecency | 11 | 9.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
32 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 12 | 37.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 7 | 21.9% |
| Indecency | 6 | 18.8% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 3 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 9.4% |
| Availability | 1 | 3.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Interference, Pirate Radio and Indecency.
Unwanted calls
A total of 588 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 50.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (419) 632-8323 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (972) 370-5238 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (312) 697-1493 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (631) 239-8731 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (650) 300-5860 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (716) 926-4334 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (210) 622-8094 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (212) 777-7345 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (215) 845-9018 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (216) 413-3808 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.
- (419) 632-8323 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.