FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 August 2017

Introduction

A total of 548 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 26 August 2017, this was lower than the 1370 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 47 states and territories, with Hawaii slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 266 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
548
States & territories reporting
47
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (266)
Most reported state/territory
Hawaii (60)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 548 complaints were recorded on 26 August 2017, with reports originating from 380 cities in 47 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.

The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.

State/Territory Complaints
Hawaii 60 10.9%
California 48 8.8%
Florida 48 8.8%
Ohio 29 5.3%
Texas 28 5.1%
New York 25 4.6%
Georgia 20 3.6%
Illinois 20 3.6%
Tennessee 19 3.5%
New Jersey 18 3.3%
Other states and territories 233 42.5%

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 355 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 355 64.8%
TV 113 20.6%
Internet 59 10.8%
Radio 12 2.2%
Accessibility 8 1.5%
Emergency 1 0.2%

Phone complaints

355 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 266 74.9%
Billing 31 8.7%
Availability (including rural call completion) 18 5.1%
Equipment 17 4.8%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 9 2.5%
Privacy 9 2.5%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 4 1.1%
Interference (including signal jammers) 1 0.3%

As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

TV complaints

113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 66 58.4%
Billing 32 28.3%
Loud Commercials 5 4.4%
Equipment 4 3.5%
Indecency 3 2.7%
Privacy 3 2.7%

Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Internet complaints

59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 22 37.3%
Speed 15 25.4%
Availability 10 16.9%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 4 6.8%
Privacy 4 6.8%
Interference 3 5.1%
Equipment 1 1.7%

Billing and Speed were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Unwanted calls

266 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 48.5% 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
(614) 398-4078 9 3.4%
(800) 619-0791 3 1.1%
(330) 576-6061 2 0.8%
(479) 422-7656 2 0.8%
(518) 935-1032 2 0.8%
(631) 270-6737 2 0.8%
(702) 323-1900 2 0.8%
(732) 313-0611 2 0.8%
(800) 333-3474 2 0.8%
(202) 792-4240 1 0.4%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(614) 398-4078 7 2.6%
(555) 555-5555 3 1.1%
(855) 999-9122 3 1.1%
(547) 818-4222 2 0.8%
(800) 590-3512 2 0.8%
(844) 871-7945 2 0.8%
(201) 982-7160 1 0.4%
(202) 202-9110 1 0.4%
(202) 253-6717 1 0.4%
(202) 792-4240 1 0.4%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (614) 398-4078 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • (614) 398-4078 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 26 August 2017.

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.