FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 August 2017

Introduction

On Wednesday, 30 August 2017, 1433 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1527 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 1036 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1433
States & territories reporting
53
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (1036)
Most reported state/territory
California (145)

Where the complaints came from

On 30 August 2017, the 1433 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 930 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 145 10.1%
Florida 129 9.0%
New York 92 6.4%
New Jersey 67 4.7%
Texas 67 4.7%
Georgia 60 4.2%
Illinois 56 3.9%
Pennsylvania 56 3.9%
Virginia 55 3.8%
Ohio 46 3.2%
Other states and territories 660 46.1%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1206 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1206 84.2%
TV 112 7.8%
Internet 100 7.0%
Radio 8 0.6%
Accessibility 4 0.3%
Emergency 3 0.2%

Phone complaints

1206 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 1036 85.9%
Billing 68 5.6%
Availability (including rural call completion) 22 1.8%
Equipment 17 1.4%
Junk Faxes 17 1.4%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 16 1.3%
Privacy 15 1.2%
Interference (including signal jammers) 9 0.7%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 3 0.2%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 2 0.2%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

TV complaints

112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 51 45.5%
Availability 27 24.1%
Loud Commercials 14 12.5%
Equipment 8 7.1%
Indecency 5 4.5%
Interference 4 3.6%
Privacy 2 1.8%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.9%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Internet complaints

100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 34 34.0%
Speed 22 22.0%
Interference 13 13.0%
Availability 10 10.0%
Equipment 9 9.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 8 8.0%
Privacy 4 4.0%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Interference.

Unwanted calls

A total of 1036 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 72.3% 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
(800) 787-8565 5 0.5%
(706) 333-5032 4 0.4%
(929) 250-0237 4 0.4%
(201) 547-1904 3 0.3%
(214) 979-8989 3 0.3%
(425) 553-2156 3 0.3%
(559) 206-5566 3 0.3%
(631) 230-1912 3 0.3%
(631) 230-2007 3 0.3%
(856) 249-9613 3 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(866) 446-2173 5 0.5%
(214) 979-8989 4 0.4%
(631) 230-2007 4 0.4%
(706) 333-5032 4 0.4%
(800) 787-8565 4 0.4%
(833) 217-3824 4 0.4%
(356) 985-2147 3 0.3%
(425) 553-2156 3 0.3%
(844) 308-9011 3 0.3%
(201) 547-1904 2 0.2%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (866) 446-2173 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (800) 787-8565 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 30 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.