FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 October 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1064 consumer complaints on 6 October 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1178 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 693 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1064
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (693)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (139)
Where the complaints came from
The 1064 complaints recorded on 6 October 2017 were submitted from 735 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 139 | 13.1% |
| Florida | 97 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 68 | 6.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 62 | 5.8% |
| New York | 50 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 45 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 33 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 33 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 32 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 467 | 43.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 870 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 870 | 81.8% |
| TV | 101 | 9.5% |
| Internet | 79 | 7.4% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
870 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 693 | 79.7% |
| Billing | 60 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 18 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 52.5% |
| Availability | 17 | 16.8% |
| Indecency | 12 | 11.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
79 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 29.1% |
| Availability | 21 | 26.6% |
| Speed | 14 | 17.7% |
| Equipment | 10 | 12.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 5.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 693 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 65.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (425) 553-2163 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (210) 714-7804 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (202) 454-5852 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (786) 232-4388 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (855) 242-0511 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 331-3173 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (203) 343-0625 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (209) 297-6761 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (304) 238-7564 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (309) 722-4582 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (425) 553-2163 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (202) 454-5852 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (210) 714-7804 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (312) 888-7375 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (206) 973-2394 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (304) 238-7564 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (309) 722-4582 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (402) 266-6579 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (406) 223-8071 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (425) 553-2163 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (425) 553-2163 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.