FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 March 2017
Introduction
A total of 1060 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 16 March 2017, this was higher than the 1050 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 586 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1060
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (586)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (110)
Where the complaints came from
The 1060 complaints recorded on 16 March 2017 were submitted from 720 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 110 | 10.4% |
| Florida | 95 | 9.0% |
| Texas | 81 | 7.6% |
| New Jersey | 48 | 4.5% |
| New York | 47 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 43 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 43 | 4.1% |
| Maryland | 43 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 40 | 3.8% |
| Other states and territories | 462 | 43.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 770 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 770 | 72.6% |
| Internet | 146 | 13.8% |
| TV | 108 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 29 | 2.7% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
770 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 586 | 76.1% |
| Billing | 77 | 10.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
146 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 37.7% |
| Availability | 31 | 21.2% |
| Speed | 24 | 16.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 5.5% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 39.8% |
| Availability | 28 | 25.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 10 | 9.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.5% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 586 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 55.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (302) 564-8699 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (415) 231-0332 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (805) 584-0152 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (858) 900-3090 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (201) 535-3751 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 750-5883 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (240) 239-0586 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (248) 215-0437 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (305) 501-2223 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (313) 555-5884 | 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.
- (302) 564-8699 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.