FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 September 2017

Introduction

On 20 September 2017, 1105 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1263 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with Florida slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 641 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1105
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (641)
Most reported state/territory
Florida (127)

Where the complaints came from

On 20 September 2017, the 1105 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 743 cities across 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 127 11.5%
California 103 9.3%
Texas 95 8.6%
Pennsylvania 54 4.9%
New York 53 4.8%
North Carolina 45 4.1%
Illinois 38 3.4%
Virginia 38 3.4%
Georgia 37 3.3%
Alabama 35 3.2%
Other states and territories 480 43.4%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 851 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 851 77.0%
Internet 121 11.0%
TV 117 10.6%
Radio 15 1.4%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

851 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 641 75.3%
Billing 70 8.2%
Availability (including rural call completion) 45 5.3%
Equipment 24 2.8%
Privacy 21 2.5%
Junk Faxes 17 2.0%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 12 1.4%
Interference (including signal jammers) 11 1.3%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 10 1.2%

Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

Internet complaints

121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 41 33.9%
Billing 36 29.8%
Speed 18 14.9%
Interference 13 10.7%
Equipment 7 5.8%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 3 2.5%
Privacy 3 2.5%

Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

TV complaints

117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 45 38.5%
Availability 35 29.9%
Equipment 10 8.5%
Indecency 10 8.5%
Loud Commercials 7 6.0%
Interference 6 5.1%
Privacy 3 2.6%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.9%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Unwanted calls

A total of 641 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 58% 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
(224) 339-5978 7 1.1%
(530) 279-6648 5 0.8%
(800) 787-8565 5 0.8%
(844) 369-3859 4 0.6%
(202) 856-6998 3 0.5%
(425) 553-2191 3 0.5%
(201) 285-2300 2 0.3%
(213) 349-9180 2 0.3%
(312) 766-1159 2 0.3%
(315) 201-5072 2 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(844) 369-3859 6 0.9%
(224) 339-5978 5 0.8%
(202) 856-6998 4 0.6%
(530) 279-6648 3 0.5%
(555) 555-5555 3 0.5%
(800) 787-8565 3 0.5%
(256) 417-4850 2 0.3%
(309) 631-6920 2 0.3%
(315) 201-5072 2 0.3%
(425) 553-2191 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (844) 369-3859 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (224) 339-5978 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 20 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.