FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 April 2017

Introduction

On Friday, 7 April 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1139 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1200 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 719 complaints recorded.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1139
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (719)
Most reported state/territory
California (144)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 1139 complaints were recorded on 7 April 2017, with reports originating from 731 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 144 12.6%
Florida 85 7.5%
New York 67 5.9%
Texas 65 5.7%
Ohio 64 5.6%
Maryland 63 5.5%
Pennsylvania 47 4.1%
Arizona 42 3.7%
Virginia 39 3.4%
Washington 37 3.2%
Other states and territories 486 42.7%

What the complaints were about

A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 877 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 877 77.0%
Internet 112 9.8%
TV 106 9.3%
Radio 43 3.8%
Accessibility 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

877 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 719 82.0%
Billing 70 8.0%
Equipment 26 3.0%
Availability (including rural call completion) 19 2.2%
Privacy 15 1.7%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 8 0.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 7 0.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 6 0.7%
Junk Faxes 5 0.6%
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. 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

112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 40 35.7%
Availability 26 23.2%
Equipment 14 12.5%
Interference 9 8.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 9 8.0%
Speed 8 7.1%
Privacy 6 5.4%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Equipment among the most common.

TV complaints

106 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 53 50.0%
Availability 20 18.9%
Loud Commercials 11 10.4%
Equipment 10 9.4%
Indecency 9 8.5%
Interference 3 2.8%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Radio complaints

43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 36 83.7%
Pirate Radio 3 7.0%
Equipment 2 4.7%
Indecency 2 4.7%

Interference and Pirate Radio were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Unwanted calls

There were 719 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 63.1% 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
(855) 329-8507 11 1.5%
(757) 204-3894 4 0.6%
(601) 228-8601 3 0.4%
(612) 869-2537 3 0.4%
(779) 225-5069 3 0.4%
(804) 298-1773 3 0.4%
(844) 592-3171 3 0.4%
(855) 654-6362 3 0.4%
(866) 874-1505 3 0.4%
(929) 399-5348 3 0.4%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(800) 390-2425 7 1.0%
(844) 592-3171 4 0.6%
(346) 203-8538 3 0.4%
(305) 515-8977 2 0.3%
(319) 237-7712 2 0.3%
(347) 408-1043 2 0.3%
(601) 228-8601 2 0.3%
(818) 493-9525 2 0.3%
(855) 654-6362 2 0.3%
(866) 332-5312 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (800) 390-2425 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (855) 329-8507 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 7 April 2017.

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.