FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 May 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1222 consumer complaints on 11 May 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1278 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 718 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1222
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (718)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (138)
Where the complaints came from
The 1222 complaints recorded on 11 May 2017 were submitted from 837 cities across 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 138 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 104 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 92 | 7.5% |
| New York | 62 | 5.1% |
| Virginia | 51 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 47 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 45 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 40 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 37 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 549 | 44.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 936 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 936 | 76.6% |
| TV | 147 | 12.0% |
| Internet | 113 | 9.2% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
936 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 718 | 76.7% |
| Billing | 97 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Rural Call Completion | 3 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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.
TV complaints
147 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 39.5% |
| Indecency | 39 | 26.5% |
| Availability | 21 | 14.3% |
| Equipment | 13 | 8.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.4% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 30 | 26.5% |
| Billing | 27 | 23.9% |
| Speed | 20 | 17.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 12.4% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.7% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Billing and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
718 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 58.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (979) 413-4009 | 8 | 1.1% |
| (612) 979-0558 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (808) 201-9566 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (337) 223-9710 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (205) 564-0066 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (253) 259-3629 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (281) 205-5716 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (315) 444-8669 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (408) 606-5775 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (412) 417-0333 | 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.
- (979) 413-4009 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.