FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 March 2017
Introduction
On Wednesday, 22 March 2017, 1161 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 1075 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California accounting for the largest number of submissions at 170 complaints. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 661 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1161
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (661)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (170)
Where the complaints came from
The 1161 complaints recorded on 22 March 2017 were submitted from 768 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 170 | 14.6% |
| New York | 75 | 6.5% |
| Texas | 75 | 6.5% |
| Florida | 70 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 47 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 44 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 43 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 42 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 40 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 502 | 43.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 116 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 843 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 843 | 72.6% |
| Internet | 141 | 12.1% |
| TV | 120 | 10.3% |
| Radio | 50 | 4.3% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
843 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 661 | 78.4% |
| Billing | 92 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
141 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 30.5% |
| Availability | 35 | 24.8% |
| Speed | 26 | 18.4% |
| Equipment | 12 | 8.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 10 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 49.2% |
| Availability | 31 | 25.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.7% |
| Indecency | 7 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
50 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 38 | 76.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 5 | 10.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 3 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.0% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.0% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 661 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 56.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (317) 491-6397 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (210) 229-8503 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (213) 266-7128 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (757) 356-9520 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (800) 847-5103 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (803) 408-9761 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (866) 204-0473 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (202) 445-5333 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (203) 484-8093 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (203) 549-6699 | 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.
- (317) 491-6397 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.