FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 August 2017

Introduction

On 9 August 2017, 1283 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1484 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 888 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1283
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (888)
Most reported state/territory
California (127)

Where the complaints came from

The 1283 complaints recorded on 9 August 2017 were submitted from 854 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant 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 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 127 9.9%
Florida 110 8.6%
New York 78 6.1%
Texas 74 5.8%
North Carolina 56 4.4%
Pennsylvania 53 4.1%
Arizona 47 3.7%
Georgia 45 3.5%
New Jersey 44 3.4%
Ohio 43 3.4%
Other states and territories 605 47.2%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1067 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1067 83.2%
Internet 100 7.8%
TV 91 7.1%
Radio 22 1.7%
Accessibility 1 0.1%
Emergency 1 0.1%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

1067 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 888 83.2%
Billing 74 6.9%
Equipment 23 2.2%
Availability (including rural call completion) 21 2.0%
Junk Faxes 18 1.7%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 11 1.0%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 11 1.0%
Privacy 10 0.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 7 0.7%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).

Internet complaints

100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 29 29.0%
Availability 23 23.0%
Speed 23 23.0%
Equipment 8 8.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 8 8.0%
Privacy 6 6.0%
Interference 3 3.0%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.

TV complaints

91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 46 50.5%
Availability 13 14.3%
Equipment 10 11.0%
Loud Commercials 10 11.0%
Indecency 8 8.8%
Interference 2 2.2%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.1%
Privacy 1 1.1%

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

Unwanted calls

888 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 69.2% 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
(555) 555-5555 6 0.7%
(206) 984-0007 4 0.5%
(239) 666-3089 3 0.3%
(520) 210-3607 3 0.3%
(602) 892-1044 3 0.3%
(201) 380-5716 2 0.2%
(203) 278-5187 2 0.2%
(206) 866-5588 2 0.2%
(210) 912-2368 2 0.2%
(270) 406-6333 2 0.2%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(555) 555-5555 9 1.0%
(866) 412-8645 5 0.6%
(305) 328-8698 3 0.3%
(541) 402-4306 3 0.3%
(602) 892-1044 3 0.3%
(786) 204-0781 3 0.3%
(844) 216-2933 3 0.3%
(866) 205-4821 3 0.3%
(201) 350-5721 2 0.2%
(203) 278-5187 2 0.2%

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.
  • (555) 555-5555 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 9 August 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.