FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 July 2017
Introduction
On Thursday, 27 July 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1260 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1336 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 838 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1260
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (838)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (152)
Where the complaints came from
The 1260 complaints recorded on 27 July 2017 originated from 825 cities across 53 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 152 | 12.1% |
| Florida | 97 | 7.7% |
| Texas | 79 | 6.3% |
| New York | 77 | 6.1% |
| Virginia | 50 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 49 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 36 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 584 | 46.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1047 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1047 | 83.1% |
| TV | 113 | 9.0% |
| Internet | 83 | 6.6% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1047 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 838 | 80.0% |
| Billing | 84 | 8.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 18 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 12 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 55.8% |
| Availability | 17 | 15.0% |
| Indecency | 11 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 37.3% |
| Availability | 14 | 16.9% |
| Speed | 13 | 15.7% |
| Interference | 8 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 7.2% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.8% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Unwanted calls
There were 838 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 66.5% 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 caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (402) 338-9582 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (202) 618-6970 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (412) 430-3876 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (540) 577-5661 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (843) 456-6595 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (844) 369-0788 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (206) 620-0334 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (208) 803-0512 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (213) 289-0358 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (253) 238-0054 | 2 | 0.2% |
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.
- (402) 338-9582 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.