FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 September 2017
Introduction
A total of 416 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 30 September 2017, this was lower than the 996 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 47 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 197 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 416
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (197)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (63)
Where the complaints came from
The 416 complaints recorded on 30 September 2017 originated from 313 cities across 47 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 63 | 15.1% |
| Florida | 35 | 8.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 24 | 5.8% |
| Texas | 24 | 5.8% |
| North Carolina | 22 | 5.3% |
| New York | 16 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 16 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 14 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 14 | 3.4% |
| Alabama | 12 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 176 | 42.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 4 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 292 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 292 | 70.2% |
| TV | 62 | 14.9% |
| Internet | 54 | 13.0% |
| Radio | 8 | 1.9% |
Phone complaints
292 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 197 | 67.5% |
| Billing | 28 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 20 | 6.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 5.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 3.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 8 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.3% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
62 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 17 | 27.4% |
| Billing | 16 | 25.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 21.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 11.3% |
| Privacy | 6 | 9.7% |
| Indecency | 2 | 3.2% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Loud Commercials.
Internet complaints
54 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 29.6% |
| Speed | 12 | 22.2% |
| Availability | 10 | 18.5% |
| Interference | 6 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 9.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 5.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 3.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
Unwanted calls
197 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 47.4% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (844) 369-3859 | 6 | 3.0% |
| (717) 349-2409 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (201) 565-1043 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (202) 670-1224 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (202) 734-6146 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (206) 823-3391 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (207) 424-1228 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (208) 944-3124 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (214) 399-9344 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (215) 709-0274 | 1 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (844) 369-3859 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- 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.