FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 May 2017
Introduction
A total of 1202 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 18 May 2017, this represented an increase from the 1200 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 817 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1202
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (817)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (126)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 18 May 2017 show 1202 complaints originating from 788 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 126 | 10.5% |
| Florida | 101 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 88 | 7.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 67 | 5.6% |
| New York | 66 | 5.5% |
| Illinois | 58 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 55 | 4.6% |
| North Carolina | 44 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 38 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 515 | 42.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1003 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1003 | 83.4% |
| TV | 100 | 8.3% |
| Internet | 74 | 6.2% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1003 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 817 | 81.5% |
| Billing | 70 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 36 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.4% |
| 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 Privacy among the most common.
TV complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 47.0% |
| Indecency | 16 | 16.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 11.0% |
| Availability | 10 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 25 | 33.8% |
| Billing | 19 | 25.7% |
| Speed | 10 | 13.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 9.5% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Billing and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 817 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 68% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (865) 205-9034 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (202) 577-1875 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (223) 698-7456 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (256) 542-0713 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (408) 974-2042 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (337) 223-9710 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (458) 203-1256 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (215) 845-9123 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (248) 600-5845 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (270) 594-6148 | 2 | 0.2% |
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.
- (865) 205-9034 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.