FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 August 2017
Introduction
On 12 August 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 484 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1228 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 43 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 259 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 484
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (259)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (54)
Where the complaints came from
The 484 complaints recorded on 12 August 2017 were submitted from 356 cities across 43 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 54 | 11.2% |
| New York | 41 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 36 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 29 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 19 | 3.9% |
| Virginia | 19 | 3.9% |
| Kentucky | 18 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 17 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 15 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 215 | 44.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 350 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 350 | 72.3% |
| Internet | 57 | 11.8% |
| TV | 57 | 11.8% |
| Radio | 17 | 3.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
350 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 259 | 74.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 21 | 6.0% |
| Billing | 20 | 5.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 9 | 2.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.3% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Equipment and Billing.
Internet complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 35.1% |
| Availability | 16 | 28.1% |
| Speed | 9 | 15.8% |
| Privacy | 4 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 5.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 42.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 17.5% |
| Indecency | 8 | 14.0% |
| Availability | 7 | 12.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 10.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.5% |
Billing represented the largest share of complaints recorded in this category, with lower volumes reported across the remaining issues.
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.