FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 March 2017
Introduction
On Saturday, 25 March 2017, 425 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1086 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 46 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 188 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 425
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (188)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (55)
Where the complaints came from
The 425 complaints recorded on 25 March 2017 were submitted from 333 cities across 46 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 26 of the 34 complaints recorded in the state.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 55 | 12.9% |
| Maryland | 34 | 8.0% |
| Florida | 30 | 7.1% |
| Texas | 26 | 6.1% |
| New York | 24 | 5.6% |
| Ohio | 19 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 18 | 4.2% |
| Arizona | 17 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 16 | 3.8% |
| Massachusetts | 14 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 172 | 40.5% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Maryland originated from Frederick, which accounted for most reports within the state.
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 264 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 264 | 62.1% |
| Internet | 73 | 17.2% |
| TV | 54 | 12.7% |
| Radio | 31 | 7.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
264 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 62.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 188 | 71.2% |
| Billing | 32 | 12.1% |
| Equipment | 14 | 5.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.4% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
73 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 39.7% |
| Availability | 13 | 17.8% |
| Speed | 12 | 16.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 6 | 8.2% |
| Privacy | 4 | 5.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 4.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
54 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 53.7% |
| Availability | 8 | 14.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 13.0% |
| Indecency | 5 | 9.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 9.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
31 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 26 | 83.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 9.7% |
| Indecency | 2 | 6.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
188 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 44.2% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (614) 852-4263 | 7 | 3.7% |
| (855) 329-8507 | 7 | 3.7% |
| (302) 212-1325 | 4 | 2.1% |
| (215) 867-5239 | 2 | 1.1% |
| (248) 885-8528 | 2 | 1.1% |
| (800) 255-1412 | 2 | 1.1% |
| (201) 530-4081 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (202) 312-5145 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (207) 213-1809 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (207) 454-4343 | 1 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Live 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.