FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 July 2017

Introduction

A total of 1264 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 6 July 2017, this was higher than the 1139 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 795 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1264
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (795)
Most reported state/territory
California (155)

Where the complaints came from

The 1264 complaints recorded on 6 July 2017 originated from 834 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.

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 155 12.3%
Florida 103 8.1%
Texas 89 7.0%
New York 63 5.0%
Virginia 57 4.5%
Pennsylvania 51 4.0%
Ohio 48 3.8%
Illinois 42 3.3%
Michigan 38 3.0%
New Jersey 35 2.8%
Other states and territories 583 46.1%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 980 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 980 77.5%
TV 143 11.3%
Internet 128 10.1%
Radio 9 0.7%
Emergency 4 0.3%

Phone complaints

980 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 795 81.1%
Billing 77 7.9%
Equipment 33 3.4%
Availability (including rural call completion) 28 2.9%
Privacy 14 1.4%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 12 1.2%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 7 0.7%
Junk Faxes 6 0.6%
Interference (including signal jammers) 4 0.4%
Rural Call Completion 2 0.2%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 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

143 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 56 39.2%
Indecency 32 22.4%
Availability 20 14.0%
Equipment 10 7.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 8 5.6%
Loud Commercials 6 4.2%
Privacy 6 4.2%
Interference 5 3.5%

Billing and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Internet complaints

128 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 49 38.3%
Speed 23 18.0%
Availability 20 15.6%
Interference 11 8.6%
Equipment 10 7.8%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 10 7.8%
Privacy 5 3.9%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.

Unwanted calls

There were 795 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 62.9% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(555) 555-5555 5 0.6%
(201) 300-4275 4 0.5%
(225) 325-3383 4 0.5%
(201) 299-4315 3 0.4%
(201) 300-4273 3 0.4%
(844) 369-0787 3 0.4%
(901) 402-9944 3 0.4%
(202) 241-2585 2 0.3%
(225) 508-3192 2 0.3%
(225) 713-3314 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (555) 555-5555 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 6 July 2017.

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.