FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 October 2017
Introduction
A total of 1167 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 31 October 2017, this represented an increase from the 1129 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 53 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 738 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1167
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (738)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (149)
Where the complaints came from
The 1167 complaints recorded on 31 October 2017 were submitted from 770 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 149 | 12.8% |
| Florida | 84 | 7.2% |
| Texas | 71 | 6.1% |
| New York | 62 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 59 | 5.1% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.3% |
| Arizona | 37 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 548 | 47.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 942 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 942 | 80.7% |
| TV | 117 | 10.0% |
| Internet | 98 | 8.4% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
942 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 738 | 78.3% |
| Billing | 75 | 8.0% |
| Privacy | 36 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 27 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 0.5% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Privacy and Equipment.
TV complaints
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 71 | 60.7% |
| Availability | 15 | 12.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.7% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 40.8% |
| Availability | 18 | 18.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 11.2% |
| Interference | 10 | 10.2% |
| Speed | 9 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 4.1% |
Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 738 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 63.2% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (201) 978-8070 | 7 | 0.9% |
| (360) 940-5005 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (570) 904-8995 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (320) 289-7122 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (855) 297-5595 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (202) 555-5558 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (206) 502-1004 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (281) 581-8709 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (760) 592-1490 | 3 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (201) 978-8070 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.