FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 April 2017
Introduction
On Thursday, 20 April 2017, 1279 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 1041 complaints the day before. 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 763 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1279
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (763)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (133)
Where the complaints came from
Across 790 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1279 complaints were recorded on 20 April 2017. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 63 of the 91 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 133 | 10.4% |
| Texas | 96 | 7.5% |
| Maryland | 91 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 90 | 7.0% |
| New York | 70 | 5.5% |
| Virginia | 69 | 5.4% |
| Illinois | 51 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 47 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 46 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 534 | 41.8% |
Location highlight
Frederick accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Maryland.
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 924 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 924 | 72.2% |
| TV | 163 | 12.7% |
| Internet | 111 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 76 | 5.9% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
924 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 763 | 82.6% |
| Billing | 69 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
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, Equipment and Junk Faxes among the most common.
TV complaints
163 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 70 | 42.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 52 | 31.9% |
| Equipment | 15 | 9.2% |
| Availability | 14 | 8.6% |
| Indecency | 9 | 5.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.6% |
Billing and Loud Commercials accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 36.0% |
| Availability | 20 | 18.0% |
| Speed | 18 | 16.2% |
| Privacy | 11 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 10 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 4.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Radio complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 66 | 86.8% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 3.9% |
| Availability | 2 | 2.6% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.3% |
Interference and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
763 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 59.7% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 787-1249 | 9 | 1.2% |
| (888) 239-1364 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (401) 566-7037 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (610) 628-4164 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (855) 798-4059 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (866) 213-4548 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (253) 661-6788 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (276) 865-1450 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (419) 332-3326 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (423) 436-7003 | 3 | 0.4% |
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) 787-1249 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.