FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 May 2017
Introduction
A total of 1393 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 6 May 2017, complaint volume fell from 1883 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Indecency, with 910 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1393
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Indecency (910)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (184)
Where the complaints came from
Across 946 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1393 complaints were recorded on 6 May 2017. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 184 | 13.2% |
| Florida | 127 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 112 | 8.0% |
| New York | 92 | 6.6% |
| Ohio | 55 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 49 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 49 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 3.5% |
| Arizona | 46 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 44 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 586 | 42.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within TV, which accounted for 984 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TV | 984 | 70.6% |
| Phone | 318 | 22.8% |
| Internet | 74 | 5.3% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
TV complaints
984 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 903 | 91.8% |
| Billing | 23 | 2.3% |
| Availability | 18 | 1.8% |
| Interference | 18 | 1.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 1.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 0.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Phone complaints
318 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 251 | 78.9% |
| Billing | 26 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 17 | 5.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 7 | 2.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.3% |
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).
Internet complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 17 | 23.0% |
| Billing | 17 | 23.0% |
| Speed | 16 | 21.6% |
| Interference | 10 | 13.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 9.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
Unwanted calls
251 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 18% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 665-4386 | 9 | 3.6% |
| (757) 588-2361 | 3 | 1.2% |
| (201) 297-6995 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (210) 744-6422 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (706) 887-5562 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (779) 225-5069 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (817) 402-0091 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (866) 236-1282 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (877) 387-2294 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (201) 410-4458 | 1 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (866) 665-4386 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.