FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 August 2017
Introduction
On 13 August 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 276 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 484 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 40 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 276
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (104)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (26)
Where the complaints came from
Across 215 cities in 40 states and territories, a total of 276 complaints were recorded on 13 August 2017. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 26 | 9.4% |
| New York | 24 | 8.7% |
| Virginia | 19 | 6.9% |
| Florida | 18 | 6.5% |
| Washington | 18 | 6.5% |
| Texas | 16 | 5.8% |
| New Jersey | 14 | 5.1% |
| Kentucky | 11 | 4.0% |
| Arizona | 9 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 9 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 112 | 40.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 167 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 167 | 60.5% |
| TV | 53 | 19.2% |
| Internet | 43 | 15.6% |
| Radio | 11 | 4.0% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.7% |
Phone complaints
167 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 104 | 62.3% |
| Billing | 22 | 13.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 12.0% |
| Equipment | 11 | 6.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 2 | 1.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.6% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
53 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 47.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 17.0% |
| Availability | 8 | 15.1% |
| Indecency | 7 | 13.2% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 13 | 30.2% |
| Billing | 9 | 20.9% |
| Speed | 7 | 16.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 14.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 9.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 9.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
Unwanted calls
There were 104 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 37.7% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (425) 242-5190 | 10 | 9.6% |
| (410) 849-4188 | 2 | 1.9% |
| (859) 838-3272 | 2 | 1.9% |
| (904) 380-3080 | 2 | 1.9% |
| (949) 629-9717 | 2 | 1.9% |
| (201) 681-8730 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (201) 956-8165 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (201) 982-7046 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (202) 202-9110 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (215) 249-6607 | 1 | 1.0% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (425) 242-5190 | 12 | 11.5% |
| (844) 801-5496 | 4 | 3.8% |
| (859) 838-3272 | 2 | 1.9% |
| (201) 956-8165 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (202) 202-9110 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (213) 205-3245 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (213) 985-2277 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (252) 673-9984 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (270) 640-0868 | 1 | 1.0% |
| (317) 846-7272 | 1 | 1.0% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (425) 242-5190 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (425) 242-5190 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.