FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 November 2017

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1154 consumer complaints on 1 November 2017 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1167 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 780 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1154
States & territories reporting
52
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (780)
Most reported state/territory
California (101)

Where the complaints came from

The 1154 complaints recorded on 1 November 2017 originated from 737 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Washington, where Kirkland accounted for 56 of the 88 complaints recorded in the state.

The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.

State/Territory Complaints
California 101 8.8%
Washington 88 7.6%
Florida 76 6.6%
Texas 76 6.6%
New York 75 6.5%
Pennsylvania 64 5.5%
Ohio 58 5.0%
Colorado 37 3.2%
Michigan 37 3.2%
Georgia 36 3.1%
Other states and territories 505 43.8%

Location highlight

A large share of complaints in Washington originated from Kirkland, which accounted for most reports within the state.

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 954 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 954 82.7%
TV 109 9.4%
Internet 80 6.9%
Radio 10 0.9%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

954 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 780 81.8%
Billing 73 7.7%
Availability (including rural call completion) 28 2.9%
Privacy 19 2.0%
Equipment 17 1.8%
Junk Faxes 13 1.4%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 10 1.0%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 8 0.8%
Interference (including signal jammers) 4 0.4%
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy.

TV complaints

109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 59 54.1%
Availability 23 21.1%
Equipment 9 8.3%
Loud Commercials 8 7.3%
Indecency 7 6.4%
Interference 2 1.8%
Privacy 1 0.9%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Internet complaints

80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 34 42.5%
Availability 18 22.5%
Speed 13 16.3%
Equipment 5 6.3%
Interference 5 6.3%
Privacy 3 3.8%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 2.5%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Unwanted calls

780 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 67.6% 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
(360) 474-3351 59 7.6%
(914) 539-4530 8 1.0%
(828) 743-2063 6 0.8%
(855) 297-5597 5 0.6%
(800) 716-5818 4 0.5%
(949) 259-6088 4 0.5%
(607) 319-8426 3 0.4%
(202) 844-1677 2 0.3%
(235) 252-5256 2 0.3%
(320) 289-7122 2 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(855) 297-5597 6 0.8%
(360) 474-3351 5 0.6%
(555) 555-5555 5 0.6%
(833) 378-6230 4 0.5%
(877) 793-7650 4 0.5%
(213) 784-4794 3 0.4%
(800) 614-2307 3 0.4%
(828) 743-2063 3 0.4%
(855) 776-6909 3 0.4%
(334) 635-6641 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (855) 297-5597 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (360) 474-3351 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 1 November 2017.

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.