FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 March 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1133 consumer complaints on Friday, 31 March 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1324 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 716 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1133
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (716)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (138)
Where the complaints came from
On 31 March 2017, the 1133 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 780 cities across 52 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 138 | 12.2% |
| Florida | 80 | 7.1% |
| New York | 70 | 6.2% |
| Texas | 57 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 46 | 4.1% |
| Maryland | 40 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 39 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 35 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 536 | 47.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 879 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 879 | 77.6% |
| Internet | 133 | 11.7% |
| TV | 99 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
879 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 716 | 81.5% |
| Billing | 79 | 9.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.6% |
| Equipment | 13 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
133 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 27.8% |
| Speed | 32 | 24.1% |
| Availability | 22 | 16.5% |
| Interference | 18 | 13.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 12 | 9.0% |
| Privacy | 9 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 57.6% |
| Availability | 19 | 19.2% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.1% |
| Indecency | 5 | 5.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
716 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 63.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (317) 491-6397 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (352) 658-6532 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (858) 900-3090 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (234) 804-0218 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (559) 205-0195 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (781) 602-6674 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (858) 429-1301 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (866) 874-1505 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (912) 373-8612 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 750-0000 | 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 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.