FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 August 2017
Introduction
On 22 August 2017, 1380 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1196 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 942 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1380
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (942)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (148)
Where the complaints came from
On 22 August 2017, the 1380 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 886 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 148 | 10.7% |
| Florida | 106 | 7.7% |
| New York | 96 | 7.0% |
| Texas | 90 | 6.5% |
| Georgia | 62 | 4.5% |
| New Jersey | 62 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 61 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 61 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 47 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 45 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 602 | 43.6% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1155 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1155 | 83.7% |
| Internet | 109 | 7.9% |
| TV | 108 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1155 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 942 | 81.6% |
| Billing | 79 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 35 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 18 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 30 | 27.5% |
| Billing | 28 | 25.7% |
| Speed | 27 | 24.8% |
| Interference | 10 | 9.2% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 3.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
TV complaints
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 61 | 56.5% |
| Availability | 12 | 11.1% |
| Indecency | 12 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
942 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 68.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (714) 593-4160 | 7 | 0.7% |
| (609) 337-3151 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (631) 230-2022 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (304) 238-7564 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (305) 328-8698 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (631) 230-1951 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (908) 360-8516 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (908) 360-8757 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (949) 799-0224 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 719-0412 | 2 | 0.2% |
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.
- (714) 593-4160 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.