FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 July 2017

Introduction

On 19 July 2017, 1161 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1217 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 765 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1161
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (765)
Most reported state/territory
California (148)

Where the complaints came from

Across 758 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1161 complaints were recorded on 19 July 2017. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 148 12.7%
Florida 91 7.8%
Texas 85 7.3%
New York 70 6.0%
Ohio 55 4.7%
Virginia 47 4.0%
Georgia 43 3.7%
New Jersey 40 3.4%
Pennsylvania 40 3.4%
Illinois 38 3.3%
Other states and territories 503 43.3%

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 965 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 965 83.1%
Internet 99 8.5%
TV 79 6.8%
Radio 13 1.1%
Accessibility 3 0.3%
Emergency 1 0.1%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

965 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 765 79.3%
Billing 83 8.6%
Availability (including rural call completion) 35 3.6%
Equipment 22 2.3%
Privacy 19 2.0%
Junk Faxes 17 1.8%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 11 1.1%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 9 0.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 2 0.2%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.1%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 1 0.1%

As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

Internet complaints

99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 36 36.4%
Availability 21 21.2%
Speed 17 17.2%
Equipment 11 11.1%
Interference 6 6.1%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 5 5.1%
Privacy 3 3.0%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.

TV complaints

79 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 51 64.6%
Availability 9 11.4%
Equipment 7 8.9%
Loud Commercials 5 6.3%
Interference 4 5.1%
Indecency 2 2.5%
Privacy 1 1.3%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Unwanted calls

765 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 65.9% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(914) 946-2311 11 1.4%
(443) 221-6996 4 0.5%
(646) 809-9655 4 0.5%
(315) 992-1936 3 0.4%
(202) 481-3289 2 0.3%
(260) 318-0451 2 0.3%
(281) 612-6847 2 0.3%
(469) 206-4322 2 0.3%
(547) 818-4222 2 0.3%
(555) 555-5555 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (914) 946-2311 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • 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 19 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.