FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 October 2017
Introduction
On Monday, 2 October 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1016 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 375 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 554 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1016
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (554)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (90)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 2 October 2017 show 1016 complaints originating from 685 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 90 | 8.9% |
| Texas | 89 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 72 | 7.1% |
| New York | 53 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 45 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.7% |
| Maryland | 34 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 33 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 33 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 482 | 47.4% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 748 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 748 | 73.6% |
| TV | 156 | 15.4% |
| Internet | 98 | 9.6% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.0% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
748 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 554 | 74.1% |
| Billing | 88 | 11.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 23 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
156 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 57 | 36.5% |
| Billing | 52 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 24 | 15.4% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 3.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.3% |
Indecency and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 40.8% |
| Availability | 29 | 29.6% |
| Speed | 11 | 11.2% |
| Privacy | 7 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
554 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 54.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (814) 204-2156 | 7 | 1.3% |
| (202) 957-9898 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (210) 714-7804 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (216) 226-2143 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (620) 926-8779 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (844) 369-3859 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (863) 228-8760 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (201) 331-3173 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (215) 383-3671 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (303) 582-8258 | 2 | 0.4% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (814) 204-2156 | 6 | 1.1% |
| (844) 213-4104 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (216) 226-2143 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (620) 926-8779 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (844) 369-3859 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (863) 228-8760 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (407) 562-1648 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (431) 578-9247 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (531) 201-3809 | 2 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (814) 204-2156 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (814) 204-2156 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.