FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 August 2017
Introduction
On Friday, 4 August 2017, 1198 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1326 complaints recorded the previous day. 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 809 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1198
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (809)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
On 4 August 2017, the 1198 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 799 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 128 | 10.7% |
| Texas | 98 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 81 | 6.8% |
| New York | 71 | 5.9% |
| Georgia | 53 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 50 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 50 | 4.2% |
| North Carolina | 45 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 44 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 531 | 44.3% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 86 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 976 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 976 | 81.5% |
| Internet | 109 | 9.1% |
| TV | 100 | 8.3% |
| Radio | 11 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
976 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 809 | 82.9% |
| Billing | 60 | 6.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 23 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 18 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy.
Internet complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 31.2% |
| Availability | 25 | 22.9% |
| Speed | 25 | 22.9% |
| Interference | 9 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 52.0% |
| Indecency | 17 | 17.0% |
| Availability | 12 | 12.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
809 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 67.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (206) 706-8222 | 9 | 1.1% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (609) 201-1590 | 7 | 0.9% |
| (800) 787-0000 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (205) 289-2022 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (610) 628-4163 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (619) 924-0132 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (870) 644-3673 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (952) 440-2443 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 844-9336 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 11 | 1.4% |
| (206) 706-8222 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (609) 201-1590 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (610) 628-4163 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (844) 369-0788 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (855) 340-4506 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 727-1652 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (205) 289-2009 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (269) 931-2207 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (330) 845-5044 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (555) 555-5555 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (206) 706-8222 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.