FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 August 2017
Introduction
On 16 August 2017, 1448 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 1394 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 1009 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1448
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1009)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (144)
Where the complaints came from
The 1448 complaints recorded on 16 August 2017 originated from 920 cities across 51 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 144 | 9.9% |
| Florida | 122 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 117 | 8.1% |
| New York | 98 | 6.8% |
| Illinois | 61 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 61 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 58 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 55 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 51 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 637 | 44.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1211 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1211 | 83.6% |
| Internet | 113 | 7.8% |
| TV | 98 | 6.8% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1211 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1009 | 83.3% |
| Billing | 88 | 7.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 22 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 1.5% |
| Equipment | 17 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.2% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy among the most common.
Internet complaints
113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 30.1% |
| Speed | 27 | 23.9% |
| Availability | 24 | 21.2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 7 | 6.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 53.1% |
| Availability | 17 | 17.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 11.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.1% |
| Indecency | 5 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
1009 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 69.7% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (706) 444-6376 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (844) 369-3850 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (973) 385-1540 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 285-1826 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (209) 645-6018 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (213) 915-8460 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (281) 666-9322 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (320) 434-6737 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (320) 510-1106 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (706) 444-6376 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (520) 210-3607 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (289) 800-0303 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (310) 803-9561 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (320) 434-6737 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (469) 998-9755 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (844) 369-3850 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (844) 710-7775 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 956-6970 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (706) 444-6376 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (706) 444-6376 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.