FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 July 2017
Introduction
A total of 1132 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 21 July 2017, this represented a decline from the 1225 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 752 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1132
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (752)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (124)
Where the complaints came from
Across 744 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1132 complaints were recorded on 21 July 2017. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 124 | 11.0% |
| Florida | 84 | 7.4% |
| Texas | 67 | 5.9% |
| New York | 65 | 5.7% |
| Illinois | 62 | 5.5% |
| Georgia | 52 | 4.6% |
| Ohio | 51 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 36 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 509 | 45.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 921 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 921 | 81.4% |
| Internet | 104 | 9.2% |
| TV | 89 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
921 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 752 | 81.7% |
| Billing | 60 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 32 | 3.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
104 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 26 | 25.0% |
| Speed | 24 | 23.1% |
| Billing | 21 | 20.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 15 | 14.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Speed and Billing.
TV complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 56.2% |
| Equipment | 14 | 15.7% |
| Availability | 11 | 12.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.5% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.4% |
Billing and Equipment were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 752 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 66.4% 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 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (616) 364-5341 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (646) 809-9631 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (202) 595-3864 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (512) 910-5962 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (646) 809-9640 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (888) 431-2901 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 539-2389 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (205) 476-0995 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (237) 594-5253 | 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.
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.