FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 May 2017
Introduction
On Wednesday, 17 May 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1200 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1268 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with Texas slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 781 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1200
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (781)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (114)
Where the complaints came from
Across 778 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1200 complaints were recorded on 17 May 2017. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 114 | 9.5% |
| Florida | 113 | 9.4% |
| California | 108 | 9.0% |
| New York | 64 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 64 | 5.3% |
| Ohio | 52 | 4.3% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 41 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 517 | 43.1% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 954 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 954 | 79.5% |
| TV | 126 | 10.5% |
| Internet | 100 | 8.3% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
954 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 781 | 81.9% |
| Billing | 63 | 6.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 26 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 25 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Junk Faxes and Equipment.
TV complaints
126 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 66 | 52.4% |
| Indecency | 25 | 19.8% |
| Availability | 16 | 12.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 1.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 35.0% |
| Speed | 19 | 19.0% |
| Availability | 18 | 18.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 11.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
Unwanted calls
781 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 65.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (501) 238-3042 | 13 | 1.7% |
| (859) 479-1764 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (609) 951-7105 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (630) 381-6771 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (667) 202-0560 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (740) 214-0128 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (871) 977-6425 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (972) 528-5924 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 956-6954 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 415-5363 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (501) 238-3042 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.