FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 March 2017
Introduction
On 23 March 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1118 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1161 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 652 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1118
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (652)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (130)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 23 March 2017 show 1118 complaints originating from 731 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. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 130 | 11.6% |
| New York | 79 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 75 | 6.7% |
| Texas | 72 | 6.4% |
| Maryland | 52 | 4.7% |
| Massachusetts | 44 | 3.9% |
| Washington | 42 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 37 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 513 | 45.9% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 834 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 834 | 74.6% |
| Internet | 134 | 12.0% |
| TV | 125 | 11.2% |
| Radio | 22 | 2.0% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
834 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 652 | 78.2% |
| Billing | 85 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 30 | 3.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
134 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 32.1% |
| Availability | 28 | 20.9% |
| Speed | 16 | 11.9% |
| Equipment | 15 | 11.2% |
| Interference | 15 | 11.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 8 | 6.0% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 77 | 61.6% |
| Availability | 21 | 16.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.6% |
| Indecency | 7 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 652 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 58.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 255-1412 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (401) 343-9764 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (507) 203-6993 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (407) 745-3200 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (520) 382-5689 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (773) 831-4349 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (800) 847-5103 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (804) 298-1773 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (855) 206-8420 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (989) 728-4033 | 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) 255-1412 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.