FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 September 2017
Introduction
On 1 September 2017, 1130 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1471 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 745 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1130
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (745)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 1 September 2017 show 1130 complaints originating from 757 cities across 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 128 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 93 | 8.2% |
| New York | 70 | 6.2% |
| Ohio | 58 | 5.1% |
| Georgia | 45 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 45 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.5% |
| Texas | 36 | 3.2% |
| Tennessee | 35 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 536 | 47.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 920 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 920 | 81.4% |
| TV | 112 | 9.9% |
| Internet | 76 | 6.7% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
920 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 745 | 81.0% |
| Billing | 68 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 26 | 2.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 18 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 52.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 20 | 17.9% |
| Availability | 17 | 15.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.0% |
| Indecency | 4 | 3.6% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 40.8% |
| Availability | 14 | 18.4% |
| Speed | 12 | 15.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 11.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 5.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.6% |
Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
745 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 65.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 217-3824 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (201) 844-9336 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (212) 999-8789 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (425) 553-2176 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 234-5835 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 236-1555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (214) 979-8989 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (218) 350-0452 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (530) 279-6648 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (531) 201-3809 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 217-3824 | 9 | 1.2% |
| (425) 553-2176 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (202) 236-1555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (212) 999-8789 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 844-9336 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 234-5835 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 957-9898 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (218) 350-0452 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (323) 338-7033 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (833) 217-3824 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (833) 217-3824 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.