FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 May 2017
Introduction
On Wednesday, 31 May 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1256 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1062 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 743 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1256
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (743)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (132)
Where the complaints came from
Across 818 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 1256 complaints were recorded on 31 May 2017. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 132 | 10.5% |
| Florida | 102 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 91 | 7.2% |
| New York | 84 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 58 | 4.6% |
| Georgia | 53 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 51 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 47 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 45 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 42 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 535 | 42.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 82 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 964 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 964 | 76.8% |
| TV | 149 | 11.9% |
| Internet | 112 | 8.9% |
| Radio | 23 | 1.8% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
964 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 743 | 77.1% |
| Billing | 94 | 9.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 37 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 18 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
TV complaints
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 68 | 45.6% |
| Availability | 29 | 19.5% |
| Indecency | 27 | 18.1% |
| Equipment | 13 | 8.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 35.7% |
| Availability | 23 | 20.5% |
| Speed | 17 | 15.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 8.0% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 743 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 59.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (732) 549-7136 | 8 | 1.1% |
| (254) 267-3869 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (323) 503-2167 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (404) 238-7145 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (719) 247-5588 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (207) 265-0062 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (210) 405-7005 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (260) 376-7032 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (323) 238-4307 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (503) 886-8636 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (732) 549-7136 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.