FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 September 2017
Introduction
On Monday, 11 September 2017, 822 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 257 complaints recorded the previous day. Submissions were made from 50 states and territories, with California accounting for the highest number of complaints at 125. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 458 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 822
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (458)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (125)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 11 September 2017 show 822 complaints originating from 598 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 125 | 15.2% |
| New York | 51 | 6.2% |
| Texas | 45 | 5.5% |
| Illinois | 43 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 41 | 5.0% |
| Virginia | 40 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 4.7% |
| Michigan | 29 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 24 | 2.9% |
| North Carolina | 24 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 356 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 624 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 624 | 75.9% |
| TV | 97 | 11.8% |
| Internet | 85 | 10.3% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
624 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 458 | 73.4% |
| Billing | 65 | 10.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 3.5% |
| Equipment | 17 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 15 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 13 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 1.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 45.4% |
| Availability | 19 | 19.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 16.5% |
| Indecency | 9 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.2% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 38.8% |
| Availability | 21 | 24.7% |
| Speed | 16 | 18.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 458 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 55.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (425) 553-2185 | 9 | 2.0% |
| (202) 897-4507 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (202) 345-6781 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (202) 748-5963 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (219) 202-2776 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (234) 203-7105 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (312) 800-8651 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (609) 906-9993 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (631) 318-8994 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (714) 613-4440 | 2 | 0.4% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (234) 203-7105 | 5 | 1.1% |
| (877) 290-3321 | 5 | 1.1% |
| (425) 553-2185 | 4 | 0.9% |
| (219) 202-2776 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (833) 206-1842 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (844) 369-3851 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (202) 748-5963 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (202) 792-9206 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (202) 897-4507 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (607) 289-3811 | 2 | 0.4% |
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.
- (425) 553-2185 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.