FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 October 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 399 consumer complaints on 21 October 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 965 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 46 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 201 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 399
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (201)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (54)
Where the complaints came from
Across 312 cities in 46 states and territories, a total of 399 complaints were recorded on 21 October 2017. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 54 | 13.5% |
| Florida | 35 | 8.8% |
| New York | 26 | 6.5% |
| Texas | 23 | 5.8% |
| Washington | 17 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 15 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 14 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 14 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 12 | 3.0% |
| Michigan | 12 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 177 | 44.4% |
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 270 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 270 | 67.7% |
| TV | 70 | 17.5% |
| Internet | 54 | 13.5% |
| Radio | 4 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
270 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 201 | 74.4% |
| Billing | 22 | 8.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 13 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.5% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 51.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 17.1% |
| Equipment | 8 | 11.4% |
| Availability | 7 | 10.0% |
| Indecency | 5 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
Billing and Loud Commercials accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
54 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 35.2% |
| Availability | 11 | 20.4% |
| Speed | 11 | 20.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 7.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Unwanted calls
A total of 201 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 50.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (360) 474-3351 | 7 | 3.5% |
| (323) 289-6330 | 3 | 1.5% |
| (619) 682-3477 | 3 | 1.5% |
| (240) 777-8997 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (317) 922-0511 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (516) 823-7061 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (661) 221-5536 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (801) 392-9135 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (202) 897-3674 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (213) 915-8460 | 1 | 0.5% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (360) 474-3351 | 5 | 2.5% |
| (202) 897-3674 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (619) 682-3477 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (626) 360-4513 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (202) 844-5369 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (206) 629-6293 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (208) 946-3708 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (213) 465-6649 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (215) 278-8334 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (215) 383-3671 | 1 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Unwanted call complaints were spread across multiple call types with similar counts.
- (360) 474-3351 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (360) 474-3351 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.