FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 May 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 3817 consumer complaints on Thursday, 4 May 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 2347 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with Florida reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Indecency, accounting for 2657 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 3817
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Indecency (2657)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (380)
Where the complaints came from
The 3817 complaints recorded on 4 May 2017 were submitted from 2047 cities across 52 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 380 | 10.0% |
| California | 349 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 303 | 7.9% |
| New York | 234 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 184 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 149 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 146 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 137 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 122 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 121 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 1688 | 44.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. TV accounted for the largest share, with 2798 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TV | 2798 | 73.3% |
| Phone | 901 | 23.6% |
| Internet | 102 | 2.7% |
| Radio | 15 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.0% |
TV complaints
2798 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 2655 | 94.9% |
| Billing | 80 | 2.9% |
| Availability | 23 | 0.8% |
| Equipment | 16 | 0.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 0.4% |
| Interference | 7 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 0.1% |
Indecency and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Phone complaints
901 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 720 | 79.9% |
| Billing | 82 | 9.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 32 | 31.4% |
| Billing | 27 | 26.5% |
| Speed | 16 | 15.7% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 6.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.9% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
Unwanted calls
There were 720 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 18.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 225-7470 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (443) 258-9328 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (619) 490-4382 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (814) 623-1477 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (206) 892-0433 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (214) 275-9036 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (414) 448-6904 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (501) 254-6316 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (520) 210-0610 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 821-6657 | 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.
- (855) 225-7470 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.