FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 August 2017
Introduction
On 17 August 2017, 1453 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 1448 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 1024 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1453
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1024)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (154)
Where the complaints came from
The 1453 complaints recorded on 17 August 2017 originated from 919 cities across 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 154 | 10.6% |
| Florida | 124 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 94 | 6.5% |
| New York | 80 | 5.5% |
| Georgia | 70 | 4.8% |
| Illinois | 65 | 4.5% |
| New Jersey | 65 | 4.5% |
| Virginia | 57 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 53 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 49 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 640 | 44.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1224 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1224 | 84.2% |
| TV | 105 | 7.2% |
| Internet | 97 | 6.7% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 9 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
1224 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1024 | 83.7% |
| Billing | 73 | 6.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 23 | 1.9% |
| Equipment | 21 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 3 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy.
TV complaints
105 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 60.0% |
| Availability | 17 | 16.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.6% |
| Indecency | 8 | 7.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 27.8% |
| Availability | 24 | 24.7% |
| Speed | 18 | 18.6% |
| Privacy | 11 | 11.3% |
| Equipment | 9 | 9.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Unwanted calls
There were 1024 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 70.5% 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 business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 10 | 1.0% |
| (727) 200-5288 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (747) 200-5288 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (855) 826-6702 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 844-9336 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (209) 759-2486 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (228) 641-8062 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (270) 594-5879 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (305) 328-8698 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (310) 803-9561 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (555) 555-5555 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- 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.