FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 April 2017
Introduction
On Wednesday, 12 April 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1240 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1244 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 747 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1240
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (747)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (161)
Where the complaints came from
The 1240 complaints recorded on 12 April 2017 originated from 805 cities across 49 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 161 | 13.0% |
| Texas | 85 | 6.9% |
| Florida | 81 | 6.5% |
| New York | 76 | 6.1% |
| Maryland | 66 | 5.3% |
| Michigan | 49 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 47 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 41 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 548 | 44.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 933 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 933 | 75.2% |
| Internet | 147 | 11.9% |
| TV | 105 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 48 | 3.9% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
933 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 747 | 80.1% |
| Billing | 80 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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
147 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 30.6% |
| Availability | 28 | 19.0% |
| Speed | 24 | 16.3% |
| Privacy | 16 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 14 | 9.5% |
| Interference | 12 | 8.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 5.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
105 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 62 | 59.0% |
| Availability | 21 | 20.0% |
| Equipment | 12 | 11.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.8% |
| Indecency | 2 | 1.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 42 | 87.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 6.3% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 747 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 60.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (877) 235-7697 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (215) 372-1781 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (215) 666-0663 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (405) 251-9281 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (434) 205-3699 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (603) 637-1827 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (947) 521-8456 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (210) 541-8820 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (210) 652-1247 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (210) 714-1914 | 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.
- (877) 235-7697 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.