FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 April 2017
Introduction
On Monday, 17 April 2017, 1108 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 208 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 627 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1108
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (627)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (113)
Where the complaints came from
Across 711 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1108 complaints were recorded on 17 April 2017. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 113 | 10.2% |
| Florida | 89 | 8.0% |
| Maryland | 76 | 6.9% |
| New York | 69 | 6.2% |
| Texas | 68 | 6.1% |
| Illinois | 53 | 4.8% |
| New Jersey | 53 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 42 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 35 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 465 | 42.0% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 74 different cities.
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 821 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 821 | 74.1% |
| Internet | 125 | 11.3% |
| TV | 97 | 8.8% |
| Radio | 60 | 5.4% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
821 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 627 | 76.4% |
| Billing | 77 | 9.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 34.4% |
| Availability | 28 | 22.4% |
| Speed | 27 | 21.6% |
| Privacy | 11 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 3.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 56.7% |
| Availability | 22 | 22.7% |
| Indecency | 7 | 7.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 50 | 83.3% |
| Indecency | 5 | 8.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 5.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.7% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.7% |
Interference and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 627 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 56.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (209) 280-1877 | 9 | 1.4% |
| (888) 239-1364 | 7 | 1.1% |
| (240) 304-3595 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (866) 237-0925 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (202) 844-1655 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (215) 666-0663 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (346) 315-2050 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (361) 317-3193 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (405) 251-9281 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (609) 232-8953 | 3 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (209) 280-1877 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.