FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 August 2017
Introduction
A total of 1196 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 21 August 2017, this represented an increase from the 281 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 766 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1196
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (766)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (136)
Where the complaints came from
On 21 August 2017, the 1196 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 803 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 | 136 | 11.4% |
| Florida | 107 | 8.9% |
| Texas | 76 | 6.4% |
| New York | 67 | 5.6% |
| Illinois | 53 | 4.4% |
| Massachusetts | 53 | 4.4% |
| Georgia | 50 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 47 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 44 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 3.7% |
| Other states and territories | 518 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 960 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 960 | 80.3% |
| TV | 107 | 8.9% |
| Internet | 98 | 8.2% |
| Radio | 25 | 2.1% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
960 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 766 | 79.8% |
| Billing | 78 | 8.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 25 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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 Equipment among the most common.
TV complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 65 | 60.7% |
| Availability | 16 | 15.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 36.7% |
| Availability | 20 | 20.4% |
| Speed | 17 | 17.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.2% |
| Privacy | 7 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 4.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
766 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 64% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (385) 399-3344 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (609) 337-3151 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (631) 230-2083 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (866) 635-2213 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (304) 238-7564 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (412) 958-7948 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (551) 209-5660 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (676) 848-9389 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (702) 874-3529 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 535-0279 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (385) 399-3344 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.