FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 August 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1194 consumer complaints on Monday, 14 August 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 276 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, without one location accounting for a clearly higher number of reports. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 800 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1194
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (800)
Where the complaints came from
Across 768 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1194 complaints were recorded on 14 August 2017. 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 table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 100 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 100 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 87 | 7.3% |
| New York | 74 | 6.2% |
| North Carolina | 50 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 49 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 45 | 3.8% |
| Washington | 43 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 39 | 3.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 569 | 47.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 977 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 977 | 81.8% |
| TV | 97 | 8.1% |
| Internet | 94 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 24 | 2.0% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
977 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 800 | 81.9% |
| Billing | 75 | 7.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 18 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 45.4% |
| Availability | 17 | 17.5% |
| Interference | 10 | 10.3% |
| Indecency | 9 | 9.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 34.0% |
| Availability | 19 | 20.2% |
| Speed | 18 | 19.1% |
| Privacy | 10 | 10.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 4.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Unwanted calls
There were 800 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 67% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (844) 220-4111 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 7 | 0.9% |
| (425) 242-5190 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (207) 512-4273 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 956-6956 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 202-9110 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (206) 801-1934 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (210) 485-0004 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (216) 750-3332 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (269) 288-8648 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (844) 220-4111 | 9 | 1.1% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (616) 219-1771 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (919) 838-7072 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (206) 801-1934 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (425) 242-5190 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (720) 414-8457 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (888) 243-2006 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (959) 200-5955 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 888-5204 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (844) 220-4111 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (844) 220-4111 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.