FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 September 2017
Introduction
A total of 1252 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 6 September 2017, this represented an increase from the 1112 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California accounting for the largest number of submissions at 153 complaints. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 813 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1252
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (813)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (153)
Where the complaints came from
The 1252 complaints recorded on 6 September 2017 originated from 791 cities across 49 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 153 | 12.2% |
| Texas | 70 | 5.6% |
| Illinois | 67 | 5.4% |
| New York | 65 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 56 | 4.5% |
| Arizona | 55 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 51 | 4.1% |
| Florida | 46 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 46 | 3.7% |
| Other states and territories | 591 | 47.2% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 95 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1005 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1005 | 80.3% |
| TV | 129 | 10.3% |
| Internet | 112 | 8.9% |
| Radio | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1005 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 813 | 80.9% |
| Billing | 78 | 7.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 28 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 21 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
129 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 66 | 51.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 20 | 15.5% |
| Availability | 19 | 14.7% |
| Equipment | 13 | 10.1% |
| Indecency | 9 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Loud Commercials accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 27.7% |
| Availability | 29 | 25.9% |
| Speed | 29 | 25.9% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Unwanted calls
There were 813 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 64.9% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (888) 888-0000 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (833) 217-3824 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (425) 553-2184 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 333-8200 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 421-2110 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (209) 643-7221 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (212) 999-8789 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (214) 979-8989 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (302) 727-0807 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (888) 888-0000 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.