FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 July 2017
Introduction
On Friday, 7 July 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1184 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1264 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 717 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1184
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (717)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (149)
Where the complaints came from
The 1184 complaints recorded on 7 July 2017 originated from 767 cities across 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in New Mexico, where North Valley accounted for 26 of the 33 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 149 | 12.6% |
| Florida | 93 | 7.9% |
| New York | 81 | 6.8% |
| Texas | 77 | 6.5% |
| Ohio | 53 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.8% |
| Arizona | 41 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 41 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 39 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 513 | 43.3% |
Location highlight
North Valley accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in New Mexico.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 941 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 941 | 79.5% |
| TV | 115 | 9.7% |
| Internet | 108 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
941 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 717 | 76.2% |
| Billing | 73 | 7.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 38 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 32 | 3.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 30 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 20 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 49.6% |
| Indecency | 23 | 20.0% |
| Availability | 13 | 11.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 26.9% |
| Availability | 26 | 24.1% |
| Speed | 26 | 24.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Unwanted calls
A total of 717 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 60.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (425) 943-9144 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (619) 340-0031 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (909) 874-5632 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (201) 300-4275 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (213) 423-4724 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (346) 998-0377 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (646) 809-9666 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (844) 369-0787 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 300-4273 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (208) 803-0315 | 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.
- (425) 943-9144 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.