FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 August 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1394 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 15 August 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1194 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with complaints distributed across multiple locations with similar counts. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 865 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1394
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (865)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1394 complaints were recorded on 15 August 2017, with reports originating from 868 cities in 52 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 | 104 | 7.5% |
| Florida | 104 | 7.5% |
| New York | 99 | 7.1% |
| Texas | 91 | 6.5% |
| Virginia | 60 | 4.3% |
| New Jersey | 56 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 52 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 52 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 49 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 670 | 48.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1121 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1121 | 80.4% |
| TV | 131 | 9.4% |
| Internet | 114 | 8.2% |
| Radio | 12 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 11 | 0.8% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 865 | 77.2% |
| Billing | 109 | 9.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 50 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 32 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
131 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 62 | 47.3% |
| Availability | 18 | 13.7% |
| Equipment | 16 | 12.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 10.7% |
| Indecency | 13 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 31.6% |
| Availability | 24 | 21.1% |
| Speed | 22 | 19.3% |
| Equipment | 15 | 13.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.5% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Unwanted calls
A total of 865 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 62.1% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (917) 242-3109 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (616) 219-1771 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (800) 689-0105 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (855) 658-3883 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (954) 314-0353 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (959) 200-5955 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 312-6768 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (206) 201-2229 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (240) 200-8389 | 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.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.