FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 September 2017

Introduction

A total of 391 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 4 September 2017, this was higher than the 268 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 46 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 195 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
391
States & territories reporting
46
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (195)
Most reported state/territory
California (50)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 391 complaints were recorded on 4 September 2017, with reports originating from 306 cities in 46 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.

The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.

State/Territory Complaints
California 50 12.8%
Florida 35 9.0%
New York 20 5.1%
Texas 20 5.1%
Illinois 19 4.9%
Virginia 18 4.6%
Kentucky 16 4.1%
Ohio 15 3.8%
Maine 13 3.3%
New Jersey 12 3.1%
Other states and territories 173 44.2%

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 266 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 266 68.0%
TV 59 15.1%
Internet 58 14.8%
Radio 5 1.3%
Accessibility 2 0.5%
Emergency 1 0.3%

Phone complaints

266 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 195 73.3%
Billing 23 8.6%
Equipment 15 5.6%
Availability (including rural call completion) 14 5.3%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 7 2.6%
Privacy 6 2.3%
Interference (including signal jammers) 2 0.8%
Junk Faxes 2 0.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 1 0.4%
Rural Call Completion 1 0.4%

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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.

TV complaints

59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 20 33.9%
Loud Commercials 15 25.4%
Availability 13 22.0%
Equipment 5 8.5%
Indecency 2 3.4%
Interference 2 3.4%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.7%
Privacy 1 1.7%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability among the most common.

Internet complaints

58 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 18 31.0%
Speed 16 27.6%
Availability 9 15.5%
Equipment 5 8.6%
Privacy 5 8.6%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 4 6.9%
Interference 1 1.7%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.

Unwanted calls

A total of 195 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 49.9% 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
(833) 217-3824 10 5.1%
(425) 553-2176 4 2.1%
(281) 204-2105 2 1.0%
(323) 999-9874 2 1.0%
(479) 422-7656 2 1.0%
(561) 309-3720 2 1.0%
(800) 333-8200 2 1.0%
(850) 454-1783 2 1.0%
(855) 905-1212 2 1.0%
(201) 201-9110 1 0.5%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(833) 217-3824 12 6.2%
(425) 553-2176 6 3.1%
(214) 979-8989 3 1.5%
(323) 746-0318 2 1.0%
(323) 999-9874 2 1.0%
(844) 228-0190 2 1.0%
(201) 620-9346 1 0.5%
(202) 897-4495 1 0.5%
(205) 267-6550 1 0.5%
(206) 497-7014 1 0.5%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (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.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 4 September 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.