FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 April 2017
Introduction
On Monday, 24 April 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1256 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 287 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 689 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1256
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (689)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (149)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1256 complaints were recorded on 24 April 2017, with reports originating from 783 cities in 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 149 | 11.9% |
| Florida | 98 | 7.8% |
| Texas | 85 | 6.8% |
| New York | 78 | 6.2% |
| Maryland | 68 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 4.4% |
| Michigan | 43 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.3% |
| Massachusetts | 42 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 549 | 43.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 97 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 878 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 878 | 69.9% |
| Internet | 219 | 17.4% |
| TV | 97 | 7.7% |
| Radio | 50 | 4.0% |
| Accessibility | 8 | 0.6% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
878 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 689 | 78.5% |
| Billing | 88 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 30 | 3.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
219 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 100 | 45.7% |
| Billing | 53 | 24.2% |
| Availability | 25 | 11.4% |
| Speed | 21 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 10 | 4.6% |
| Interference | 5 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 57.7% |
| Availability | 15 | 15.5% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.2% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
50 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 38 | 76.0% |
| Indecency | 4 | 8.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 4 | 8.0% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.0% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.0% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 689 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 54.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (520) 210-0610 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (301) 329-0898 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (800) 998-5202 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (209) 286-3663 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (323) 380-3962 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (434) 205-3966 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (540) 328-9788 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (617) 841-8578 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 347-2683 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (209) 280-1877 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 998-5202 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (877) 790-3355 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (888) 994-1388 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 821-4657 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (323) 380-3962 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (540) 328-9788 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (678) 245-4500 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 425-9822 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 330-0094 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (904) 863-5524 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (800) 998-5202 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (520) 210-0610 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.