FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 October 2017
Introduction
On Wednesday, 4 October 2017, 1197 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1182 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 741 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1197
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (741)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (157)
Where the complaints came from
The 1197 complaints recorded on 4 October 2017 originated from 777 cities across 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 157 | 13.1% |
| Texas | 107 | 8.9% |
| Florida | 96 | 8.0% |
| New York | 55 | 4.6% |
| Ohio | 52 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 46 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 43 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 37 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 515 | 43.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 943 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 943 | 78.8% |
| TV | 140 | 11.7% |
| Internet | 92 | 7.7% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
943 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 741 | 78.6% |
| Billing | 87 | 9.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 25 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy among the most common.
TV complaints
140 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 41.4% |
| Availability | 27 | 19.3% |
| Indecency | 22 | 15.7% |
| Equipment | 14 | 10.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 8.6% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 30.4% |
| Availability | 27 | 29.3% |
| Speed | 16 | 17.4% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.9% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 3.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
741 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 61.9% 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 | 8 | 1.1% |
| (201) 898-2334 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (210) 714-7804 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (530) 279-6648 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (646) 558-6671 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (844) 369-3861 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (859) 568-8793 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 241-4925 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (206) 451-5169 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (231) 836-7565 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (814) 204-2156 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.