FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 May 2017
Introduction
A total of 1219 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 25 May 2017, this was lower than the 1307 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 840 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1219
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (840)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (165)
Where the complaints came from
Across 786 cities in 53 states and territories, a total of 1219 complaints were recorded on 25 May 2017. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 165 | 13.5% |
| Florida | 91 | 7.5% |
| Texas | 86 | 7.1% |
| New York | 74 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 41 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 40 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.3% |
| Maryland | 39 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 551 | 45.2% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 104 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 1018 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1018 | 83.5% |
| Internet | 96 | 7.9% |
| TV | 86 | 7.1% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
1018 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 840 | 82.5% |
| Billing | 76 | 7.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 2.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 1.9% |
| Equipment | 17 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 9 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Junk Faxes.
Internet complaints
96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 24.0% |
| Availability | 21 | 21.9% |
| Speed | 17 | 17.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 14.6% |
| Interference | 11 | 11.5% |
| Privacy | 7 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 47.7% |
| Availability | 13 | 15.1% |
| Indecency | 11 | 12.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 11.6% |
| Interference | 8 | 9.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 840 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 68.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (337) 242-1683 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (707) 508-3500 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (818) 293-4658 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (973) 310-6852 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (978) 881-0310 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (502) 230-7803 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (607) 590-2105 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (615) 823-3665 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (650) 245-5120 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (760) 248-0465 | 3 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
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.