FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 August 2017
Introduction
A total of 1546 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 23 August 2017, this was higher than the 1380 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 1043 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1546
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1043)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (156)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 23 August 2017 show 1546 complaints originating from 987 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 156 | 10.1% |
| Florida | 133 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 101 | 6.5% |
| New York | 91 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 67 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 64 | 4.1% |
| Georgia | 60 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 59 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 58 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 56 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 698 | 45.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1265 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1265 | 81.8% |
| TV | 149 | 9.6% |
| Internet | 110 | 7.1% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1265 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1043 | 82.5% |
| Billing | 86 | 6.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 31 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 20 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 0.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| 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. 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
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 78 | 52.3% |
| Availability | 22 | 14.8% |
| Indecency | 16 | 10.7% |
| Equipment | 14 | 9.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.7% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 44.5% |
| Speed | 20 | 18.2% |
| Availability | 17 | 15.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.8% |
Billing and Speed were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 1043 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 67.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (479) 422-7656 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (518) 500-2085 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (385) 399-3344 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (260) 808-1208 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (559) 206-5566 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (732) 313-0630 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (970) 760-6588 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 202-9110 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (256) 392-6394 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (301) 920-8462 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 8 | 0.8% |
| (518) 500-2085 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (844) 369-3850 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (260) 808-1208 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (385) 399-3344 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (732) 313-0630 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (855) 999-9122 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (245) 662-2744 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (256) 392-6394 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (360) 234-2817 | 2 | 0.2% |
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.
- Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
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.