FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 March 2017
Introduction
On 27 March 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1239 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 268 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 718 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1239
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (718)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (163)
Where the complaints came from
The 1239 complaints recorded on 27 March 2017 originated from 793 cities across 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 163 | 13.2% |
| Texas | 83 | 6.7% |
| Florida | 78 | 6.3% |
| New York | 73 | 5.9% |
| Maryland | 67 | 5.4% |
| Ohio | 63 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 36 | 2.9% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 538 | 43.4% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 932 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 932 | 75.2% |
| Internet | 141 | 11.4% |
| TV | 111 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 50 | 4.0% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
932 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 718 | 77.0% |
| Billing | 101 | 10.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
141 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 36.2% |
| Availability | 29 | 20.6% |
| Speed | 19 | 13.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 18 | 12.8% |
| Interference | 9 | 6.4% |
| Privacy | 9 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 4.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 64 | 57.7% |
| Availability | 28 | 25.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 5.4% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
50 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 34 | 68.0% |
| Indecency | 7 | 14.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 4 | 8.0% |
| Availability | 2 | 4.0% |
| Billing | 2 | 4.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.0% |
Interference and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 718 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 57.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (443) 386-3643 | 31 | 4.3% |
| (317) 491-6397 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (203) 983-5988 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 347-2683 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 354-1385 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (207) 213-1809 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (207) 358-4275 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (312) 667-9781 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (312) 809-0942 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (347) 650-2746 | 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.
- (443) 386-3643 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.