FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 July 2017

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1336 consumer complaints on 26 July 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1377 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 927 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1336
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (927)
Most reported state/territory
California (144)

Where the complaints came from

On 26 July 2017, the 1336 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 862 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 144 10.8%
New Jersey 101 7.6%
Florida 85 6.4%
Texas 79 5.9%
New York 73 5.5%
Ohio 63 4.7%
Georgia 46 3.4%
Illinois 45 3.4%
Virginia 45 3.4%
Michigan 44 3.3%
Other states and territories 607 45.4%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 4 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1115 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1115 83.5%
Internet 115 8.6%
TV 99 7.4%
Radio 7 0.5%

Phone complaints

1115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 927 83.1%
Billing 86 7.7%
Availability (including rural call completion) 34 3.0%
Privacy 22 2.0%
Equipment 14 1.3%
Interference (including signal jammers) 11 1.0%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 7 0.6%
Junk Faxes 6 0.5%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 3 0.3%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 3 0.3%
Rural Call Completion 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy among the most common.

Internet complaints

115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 40 34.8%
Speed 25 21.7%
Availability 21 18.3%
Equipment 11 9.6%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 10 8.7%
Interference 4 3.5%
Privacy 4 3.5%

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

TV complaints

99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 56 56.6%
Availability 11 11.1%
Equipment 8 8.1%
Interference 7 7.1%
Loud Commercials 7 7.1%
Indecency 6 6.1%
Privacy 3 3.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.0%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Unwanted calls

927 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 69.4% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.

Most reported caller ID numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(201) 267-3064 5 0.5%
(206) 567-7700 5 0.5%
(609) 201-1591 5 0.5%
(720) 328-6303 5 0.5%
(970) 788-1202 5 0.5%
(516) 217-9663 4 0.4%
(424) 257-8175 3 0.3%
(985) 272-1615 3 0.3%
(202) 202-9110 2 0.2%
(203) 418-4188 2 0.2%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(201) 267-3064 6 0.6%
(970) 788-1202 6 0.6%
(970) 528-6345 5 0.5%
(555) 555-5555 4 0.4%
(610) 628-4163 4 0.4%
(206) 567-7700 3 0.3%
(401) 466-6093 3 0.3%
(424) 257-8175 3 0.3%
(516) 217-9663 3 0.3%
(609) 201-1591 3 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
  • Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
  • Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 26 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.