FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 August 2017
Introduction
On 19 August 2017, 519 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1363 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 46 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 321 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 519
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (321)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (57)
Where the complaints came from
On 19 August 2017, the 519 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 385 cities across 46 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 57 | 11.0% |
| New York | 42 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 36 | 6.9% |
| Florida | 33 | 6.4% |
| New Jersey | 25 | 4.8% |
| Arizona | 24 | 4.6% |
| Virginia | 20 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 19 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 18 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 16 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 229 | 44.1% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 4 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 393 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 393 | 75.7% |
| TV | 68 | 13.1% |
| Internet | 52 | 10.0% |
| Radio | 6 | 1.2% |
Phone complaints
393 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 321 | 81.7% |
| Billing | 37 | 9.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 8 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 2 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.3% |
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
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 50.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 19.1% |
| Availability | 9 | 13.2% |
| Indecency | 6 | 8.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.5% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.5% |
Billing and Loud Commercials accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 14 | 26.9% |
| Speed | 11 | 21.2% |
| Availability | 8 | 15.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 15.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 11.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 9.6% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
Unwanted calls
A total of 321 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 61.8% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (609) 337-3151 | 6 | 1.9% |
| (289) 800-0303 | 4 | 1.2% |
| (262) 222-5381 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (631) 230-1951 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (818) 312-3115 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (415) 619-3180 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (631) 629-7899 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (704) 258-9687 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (720) 530-2960 | 2 | 0.6% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 6 | 1.9% |
| (609) 337-3151 | 4 | 1.2% |
| (866) 635-2213 | 4 | 1.2% |
| (289) 800-0303 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (631) 230-1951 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (262) 222-5381 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (505) 660-2964 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (631) 230-2022 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (773) 377-8133 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (800) 942-1970 | 2 | 0.6% |
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.
- (609) 337-3151 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.