FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 August 2017
Introduction
A total of 703 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 5 August 2017, this represented a decline from the 1198 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 468 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 703
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (468)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (95)
Where the complaints came from
On 5 August 2017, the 703 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 533 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 95 | 13.5% |
| Florida | 56 | 8.0% |
| Washington | 40 | 5.7% |
| New York | 36 | 5.1% |
| Texas | 36 | 5.1% |
| Illinois | 28 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 27 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 26 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 23 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 23 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 313 | 44.5% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 62 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 563 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 563 | 80.1% |
| Internet | 67 | 9.5% |
| TV | 63 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
563 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 468 | 83.1% |
| Privacy | 29 | 5.2% |
| Billing | 27 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 14 | 2.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.9% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Privacy, Billing and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
67 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 29.9% |
| Availability | 16 | 23.9% |
| Speed | 14 | 20.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 10.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
63 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 46.0% |
| Availability | 11 | 17.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 14.3% |
| Indecency | 7 | 11.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
468 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 66.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 12 | 2.6% |
| (412) 430-3876 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (205) 289-2016 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (206) 208-3628 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (419) 625-4274 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (619) 924-0157 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (844) 293-7062 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (856) 336-6910 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (877) 389-6643 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 267-3031 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (555) 555-5555 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- 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.