FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 February 2017
Introduction
A total of 1011 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 24 February 2017, complaint volume fell from 1166 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 562 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1011
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (562)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (159)
Where the complaints came from
The 1011 complaints recorded on 24 February 2017 originated from 668 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. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 159 | 15.7% |
| Florida | 80 | 7.9% |
| New York | 73 | 7.2% |
| Texas | 56 | 5.5% |
| Maryland | 46 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 35 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 32 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 31 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 418 | 41.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 747 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 747 | 73.9% |
| Internet | 127 | 12.6% |
| TV | 90 | 8.9% |
| Radio | 46 | 4.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
747 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 562 | 75.2% |
| Billing | 77 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 33 | 4.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
127 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 33.9% |
| Availability | 26 | 20.5% |
| Speed | 20 | 15.7% |
| Interference | 11 | 8.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 8.7% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 53.3% |
| Availability | 14 | 15.6% |
| Equipment | 10 | 11.1% |
| Indecency | 9 | 10.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
46 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 36 | 78.3% |
| Indecency | 4 | 8.7% |
| Availability | 2 | 4.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 4.3% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.2% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.2% |
Interference and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 562 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 55.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (215) 845-9018 | 6 | 1.1% |
| (800) 255-1412 | 6 | 1.1% |
| (347) 571-5992 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (507) 203-6993 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (360) 636-2468 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (385) 277-4125 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (213) 292-4507 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (218) 212-8529 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (235) 484-0009 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (260) 676-7021 | 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.
- Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
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.