FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 February 2017
Introduction
On Tuesday, 28 February 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1126 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 959 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 549 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1126
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (549)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (156)
Where the complaints came from
On 28 February 2017, the 1126 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 742 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 156 | 13.9% |
| Texas | 91 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 87 | 7.7% |
| New York | 62 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 4.4% |
| Maryland | 44 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 44 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 43 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 40 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 464 | 41.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 95 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 791 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 791 | 70.2% |
| Internet | 184 | 16.3% |
| TV | 123 | 10.9% |
| Radio | 25 | 2.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
791 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 549 | 69.4% |
| Billing | 107 | 13.5% |
| Equipment | 32 | 4.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 3.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
184 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 34.2% |
| Availability | 38 | 20.7% |
| Speed | 33 | 17.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 21 | 11.4% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 11 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 3.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
123 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 65 | 52.8% |
| Availability | 25 | 20.3% |
| Equipment | 12 | 9.8% |
| Indecency | 12 | 9.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 549 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 48.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 613-8986 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (208) 378-3471 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (737) 702-2004 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (858) 900-3090 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (323) 515-8527 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (650) 300-5860 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (720) 851-4203 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (786) 472-1776 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (800) 255-1412 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (800) 777-6116 | 3 | 0.5% |
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.
- (800) 613-8986 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.