FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 April 2017
Introduction
On Wednesday, 19 April 2017, 1041 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1264 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 626 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1041
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (626)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (126)
Where the complaints came from
The 1041 complaints recorded on 19 April 2017 were submitted from 728 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 126 | 12.1% |
| Florida | 74 | 7.1% |
| Texas | 70 | 6.7% |
| New York | 61 | 5.9% |
| Ohio | 45 | 4.3% |
| Maryland | 44 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 42 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 36 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 33 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 465 | 44.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 808 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 808 | 77.6% |
| TV | 99 | 9.5% |
| Internet | 93 | 8.9% |
| Radio | 38 | 3.7% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
808 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 626 | 77.5% |
| Billing | 75 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 32 | 4.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 59.6% |
| Availability | 18 | 18.2% |
| Indecency | 8 | 8.1% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 22 | 23.7% |
| Speed | 13 | 14.0% |
| Interference | 11 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Radio complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 26 | 68.4% |
| Pirate Radio | 6 | 15.8% |
| Indecency | 5 | 13.2% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.6% |
Interference and Pirate Radio were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 626 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 60.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 255-1412 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (401) 566-7037 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (430) 808-5009 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (862) 414-4687 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (201) 956-6964 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (240) 543-8064 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (412) 850-3009 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (430) 703-2007 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (504) 290-3278 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (570) 867-9654 | 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.
- (800) 255-1412 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.