FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 April 2017
Introduction
On Thursday, 13 April 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1309 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1240 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 840 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1309
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (840)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (136)
Where the complaints came from
The 1309 complaints recorded on 13 April 2017 originated from 822 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 | 136 | 10.4% |
| Florida | 87 | 6.6% |
| Texas | 82 | 6.3% |
| Maryland | 80 | 6.1% |
| New York | 78 | 6.0% |
| Illinois | 69 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 48 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 45 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 44 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 587 | 44.8% |
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 1027 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1027 | 78.5% |
| Internet | 130 | 9.9% |
| TV | 103 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 44 | 3.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
1027 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 840 | 81.8% |
| Billing | 85 | 8.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided 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
130 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 23.8% |
| Availability | 30 | 23.1% |
| Speed | 22 | 16.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 17 | 13.1% |
| Equipment | 13 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 11 | 8.5% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.6% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 50.5% |
| Availability | 24 | 23.3% |
| Indecency | 11 | 10.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
44 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 40 | 90.9% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.5% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 840 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 64.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 855-4419 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (646) 499-4472 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (724) 252-4951 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (207) 560-1644 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (215) 666-0663 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (844) 889-9153 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (215) 372-1781 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (229) 938-2708 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (301) 298-7311 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (508) 538-5980 | 3 | 0.4% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 224-1626 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (855) 607-1359 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (800) 998-5202 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (361) 317-3255 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (405) 251-9281 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (855) 855-4419 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (866) 213-4548 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (866) 232-7419 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (866) 325-0451 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (972) 362-2442 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (866) 224-1626 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (855) 855-4419 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.