FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 May 2017
Introduction
On Wednesday, 10 May 2017, 1278 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1313 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 803 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1278
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (803)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (166)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1278 complaints were recorded on 10 May 2017, with reports originating from 844 cities in 53 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 166 | 13.0% |
| Florida | 108 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 96 | 7.5% |
| New York | 78 | 6.1% |
| New Jersey | 59 | 4.6% |
| Colorado | 46 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 45 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 40 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 562 | 44.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1000 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1000 | 78.2% |
| TV | 141 | 11.0% |
| Internet | 118 | 9.2% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
1000 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 803 | 80.3% |
| Billing | 78 | 7.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 3.3% |
| Equipment | 27 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
141 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 41.1% |
| Indecency | 48 | 34.0% |
| Availability | 15 | 10.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 4.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 2.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 2.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 31.4% |
| Availability | 22 | 18.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 21 | 17.8% |
| Speed | 18 | 15.3% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 7 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.2% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
Unwanted calls
There were 803 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 62.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 888-5656 | 10 | 1.2% |
| (215) 999-2747 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (954) 516-6813 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (985) 202-9744 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (231) 237-7277 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (401) 466-6058 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (407) 410-8772 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (410) 365-8451 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (434) 205-3966 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (501) 819-8179 | 3 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (800) 888-5656 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.