FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 May 2017
Introduction
A total of 1041 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 22 May 2017, complaint volume increased from 246 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 552 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1041
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (552)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (92)
Where the complaints came from
On 22 May 2017, the 1041 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 669 cities across 51 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Oklahoma, where Oklahoma city accounted for 55 of the 68 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 92 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 87 | 8.4% |
| New York | 68 | 6.5% |
| Oklahoma | 68 | 6.5% |
| Texas | 62 | 6.0% |
| Illinois | 46 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 35 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 33 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 32 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 474 | 45.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Oklahoma were heavily concentrated in Oklahoma city, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 748 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 748 | 71.9% |
| TV | 114 | 11.0% |
| Internet | 104 | 10.0% |
| Accessibility | 58 | 5.6% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
748 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 552 | 73.8% |
| Billing | 94 | 12.6% |
| Equipment | 32 | 4.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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. 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
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 43.0% |
| Indecency | 28 | 24.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 9.6% |
| Availability | 10 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
104 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 31.7% |
| Availability | 26 | 25.0% |
| Speed | 22 | 21.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 10 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Accessibility complaints
58 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Closed Captioning on TV | 55 | 94.8% |
| Closed Captioning over the Internet | 1 | 1.7% |
| Hearing Aid Compatibility of Wireless Phones | 1 | 1.7% |
| Hearing Aid Compatibility of Wireline Phones | 1 | 1.7% |
Closed Captioning on TV and Closed Captioning over the Internet were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
552 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 53% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (520) 210-0610 | 16 | 2.9% |
| (626) 361-5815 | 7 | 1.3% |
| (781) 214-3955 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (762) 200-0277 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (804) 403-1101 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (205) 526-4175 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (408) 974-2042 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (573) 250-8491 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (650) 245-5120 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (682) 628-4744 | 3 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (520) 210-0610 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.