FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 October 2017
Introduction
On 12 October 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1196 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1170 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 744 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1196
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (744)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (104)
Where the complaints came from
On 12 October 2017, the 1196 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 831 cities across 50 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. 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 | 104 | 8.7% |
| Florida | 99 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 74 | 6.2% |
| New York | 71 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 59 | 4.9% |
| Georgia | 50 | 4.2% |
| Michigan | 44 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 44 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 43 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 566 | 47.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, 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 | 153 | 12.8% |
| Internet | 78 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
943 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 744 | 78.9% |
| Billing | 77 | 8.2% |
| Privacy | 25 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 24 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Privacy and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
TV complaints
153 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 70 | 45.8% |
| Indecency | 30 | 19.6% |
| Availability | 25 | 16.3% |
| Equipment | 15 | 9.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.7% |
Billing and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
78 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 32.1% |
| Speed | 19 | 24.4% |
| Availability | 17 | 21.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 5.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
Unwanted calls
There were 744 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 62.2% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (610) 546-7328 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (425) 880-7895 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (603) 821-4765 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (815) 267-6990 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (972) 746-2786 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (203) 395-1080 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (240) 244-0671 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (248) 863-0235 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (253) 234-1710 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (281) 634-3387 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (610) 546-7328 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (912) 662-5412 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (425) 880-7895 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (603) 821-4765 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (818) 582-8125 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (832) 240-5112 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (949) 647-4424 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (972) 746-2786 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (240) 244-0671 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (610) 546-7328 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (610) 546-7328 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.