FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 September 2017
Introduction
A total of 1263 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 19 September 2017, this represented an increase from the 1037 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with Florida slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 657 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1263
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (657)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (167)
Where the complaints came from
The 1263 complaints recorded on 19 September 2017 were submitted from 819 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 167 | 13.2% |
| California | 140 | 11.1% |
| Texas | 80 | 6.3% |
| New York | 73 | 5.8% |
| New Jersey | 57 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 45 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 42 | 3.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 41 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 532 | 42.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 919 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 919 | 72.8% |
| Internet | 183 | 14.5% |
| TV | 139 | 11.0% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
919 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 657 | 71.5% |
| Billing | 111 | 12.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 40 | 4.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 25 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 19 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Junk Faxes.
Internet complaints
183 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 63 | 34.4% |
| Billing | 49 | 26.8% |
| Speed | 29 | 15.8% |
| Equipment | 16 | 8.7% |
| Interference | 10 | 5.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 3.8% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
139 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 71 | 51.1% |
| Availability | 35 | 25.2% |
| Equipment | 13 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 5.8% |
| Indecency | 3 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 657 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 52% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (530) 279-6648 | 9 | 1.4% |
| (202) 957-9898 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (207) 213-1125 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (415) 848-4445 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (617) 341-8149 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (814) 204-2156 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (844) 369-3859 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (202) 759-6743 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 975-8881 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (210) 966-1241 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (425) 412-2612 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (207) 213-1125 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (844) 484-4397 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (202) 975-8881 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (224) 339-5978 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (360) 843-2011 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (507) 247-6379 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (617) 341-8149 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 669-0250 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (555) 555-5555 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (530) 279-6648 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.