FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 April 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1264 consumer complaints on 18 April 2017 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1108 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 166 complaints. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 697 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1264
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (697)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (166)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 18 April 2017 show 1264 complaints originating from 831 cities across 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 166 | 13.1% |
| Florida | 83 | 6.6% |
| Texas | 74 | 5.9% |
| New York | 73 | 5.8% |
| Maryland | 55 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 54 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 49 | 3.9% |
| Virginia | 47 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 41 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 573 | 45.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 911 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 911 | 72.1% |
| Internet | 159 | 12.6% |
| TV | 140 | 11.1% |
| Radio | 47 | 3.7% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
911 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 697 | 76.5% |
| Billing | 88 | 9.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
| 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. 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
159 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 64 | 40.3% |
| Availability | 34 | 21.4% |
| Interference | 19 | 11.9% |
| Speed | 17 | 10.7% |
| Equipment | 11 | 6.9% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 3.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
140 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 80 | 57.1% |
| Availability | 26 | 18.6% |
| Equipment | 16 | 11.4% |
| Indecency | 9 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
47 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 33 | 70.2% |
| Availability | 5 | 10.6% |
| Pirate Radio | 5 | 10.6% |
| Indecency | 3 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 697 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 55.1% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 900-1370 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (800) 899-9760 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (260) 201-1681 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (866) 237-0925 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (215) 824-6595 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (606) 637-0316 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (814) 201-3934 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (814) 201-3959 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 663-9489 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 224-1626 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (800) 900-1370 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.