FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 August 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1203 consumer complaints on 28 August 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 344 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 760 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1203
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (760)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (134)
Where the complaints came from
The 1203 complaints recorded on 28 August 2017 were submitted from 832 cities across 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory 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 | 134 | 11.1% |
| Florida | 95 | 7.9% |
| New York | 92 | 7.6% |
| Texas | 66 | 5.5% |
| Ohio | 54 | 4.5% |
| New Jersey | 49 | 4.1% |
| Virginia | 48 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 47 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 43 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 532 | 44.2% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 957 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 957 | 79.6% |
| TV | 120 | 10.0% |
| Internet | 109 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
957 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 760 | 79.4% |
| Billing | 75 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 38 | 4.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 50.0% |
| Availability | 28 | 23.3% |
| Indecency | 10 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 28.4% |
| Availability | 30 | 27.5% |
| Speed | 21 | 19.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.3% |
| Privacy | 7 | 6.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 3.7% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Unwanted calls
A total of 760 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 63.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (716) 266-1640 | 7 | 0.9% |
| (716) 266-1641 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (614) 398-4078 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (695) 478-2348 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (213) 292-9815 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 860-5488 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 371-1215 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 897-4283 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (206) 607-8252 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (304) 238-7564 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (614) 398-4078 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (695) 478-2348 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (413) 628-1621 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (716) 266-1641 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (850) 454-1783 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (941) 548-2744 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 568-9905 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (206) 607-8252 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (213) 292-9815 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (312) 414-1728 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (614) 398-4078 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (716) 266-1640 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.