FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 September 2017
Introduction
On 7 September 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1161 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1252 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 162 complaints. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 737 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1161
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (737)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (162)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1161 complaints were recorded on 7 September 2017, with reports originating from 768 cities in 49 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 162 | 14.0% |
| New York | 68 | 5.9% |
| Ohio | 54 | 4.7% |
| Florida | 53 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 53 | 4.6% |
| Texas | 51 | 4.4% |
| Washington | 46 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 42 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 545 | 46.9% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 939 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 939 | 80.9% |
| TV | 112 | 9.6% |
| Internet | 90 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
939 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 737 | 78.5% |
| Billing | 99 | 10.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 25 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 52.7% |
| Availability | 21 | 18.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.1% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 36.7% |
| Availability | 22 | 24.4% |
| Speed | 18 | 20.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
737 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 63.5% 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 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (866) 446-2173 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (800) 787-8565 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (202) 794-8856 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 957-9898 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (208) 392-1208 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (209) 396-5728 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (318) 224-2868 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (319) 400-2143 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (443) 619-7135 | 3 | 0.4% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (443) 619-7135 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (833) 217-3824 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (202) 957-9898 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (208) 392-1208 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 787-8565 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (844) 369-3851 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (866) 446-2173 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 794-8855 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (217) 970-1057 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (301) 358-4180 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
- Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
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.