FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 May 2017
Introduction
On 26 May 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1110 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1219 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 48 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 737 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1110
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (737)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (130)
Where the complaints came from
Across 675 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 1110 complaints were recorded on 26 May 2017. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 130 | 11.7% |
| Texas | 94 | 8.5% |
| Florida | 88 | 7.9% |
| Ohio | 54 | 4.9% |
| Michigan | 46 | 4.1% |
| Virginia | 42 | 3.8% |
| New York | 41 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 3.6% |
| Arizona | 38 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 37 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 487 | 43.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 85 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 905 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 905 | 81.5% |
| TV | 99 | 8.9% |
| Internet | 88 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
905 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 737 | 81.4% |
| Billing | 76 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 3 | 0.3% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 54.5% |
| Availability | 13 | 13.1% |
| Equipment | 13 | 13.1% |
| Indecency | 12 | 12.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.0% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
88 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 28.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 22 | 25.0% |
| Availability | 21 | 23.9% |
| Speed | 11 | 12.5% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability.
Unwanted calls
737 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 66.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (330) 295-3244 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (337) 242-1683 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (918) 215-9128 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (310) 494-2474 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (323) 503-2167 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (619) 639-7982 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (844) 731-7213 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (204) 745-4260 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (206) 708-2849 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (254) 267-3869 | 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.
- (330) 295-3244 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.