FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 August 2017
Introduction
On Friday, 11 August 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1228 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1345 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with Florida slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 835 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1228
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (835)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (107)
Where the complaints came from
The 1228 complaints recorded on 11 August 2017 were submitted from 818 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 107 | 8.7% |
| California | 105 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 100 | 8.1% |
| New York | 71 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 62 | 5.0% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 42 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 41 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 41 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 572 | 46.6% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1014 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1014 | 82.6% |
| Internet | 110 | 9.0% |
| TV | 80 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 21 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1014 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 835 | 82.3% |
| Billing | 69 | 6.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 3.5% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 31.8% |
| Availability | 24 | 21.8% |
| Equipment | 15 | 13.6% |
| Speed | 15 | 13.6% |
| Privacy | 8 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 5.5% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Equipment.
TV complaints
80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 58.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 11.3% |
| Availability | 8 | 10.0% |
| Indecency | 7 | 8.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.5% |
Billing and Equipment were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 835 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 68% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 13 | 1.6% |
| (919) 838-7072 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (202) 253-6251 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (231) 836-7565 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (410) 849-4188 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (760) 571-2065 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (786) 655-5390 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (971) 206-6349 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (973) 385-1556 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (203) 278-5187 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 18 | 2.2% |
| (919) 838-7072 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (203) 278-5187 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (760) 571-2049 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (855) 658-3883 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (866) 412-8645 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (888) 380-0825 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (914) 202-6862 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 350-5741 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (203) 580-8331 | 2 | 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.
- (555) 555-5555 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.