FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 November 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 991 consumer complaints on 3 November 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1118 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 653 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 991
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (653)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (115)
Where the complaints came from
Across 669 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 991 complaints were recorded on 3 November 2017. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 115 | 11.6% |
| Texas | 77 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 67 | 6.8% |
| New York | 64 | 6.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 44 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 42 | 4.2% |
| Alabama | 31 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 31 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 28 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 444 | 44.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 810 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 810 | 81.7% |
| TV | 93 | 9.4% |
| Internet | 78 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
810 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 653 | 80.6% |
| Billing | 63 | 7.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
TV complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 46.2% |
| Availability | 21 | 22.6% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 10.8% |
| Indecency | 5 | 5.4% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
78 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 32.1% |
| Speed | 22 | 28.2% |
| Availability | 18 | 23.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Speed, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 653 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 65.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 297-5597 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (202) 400-2000 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (800) 787-8565 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (205) 216-4498 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (213) 212-8338 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (312) 870-7585 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (404) 220-9928 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (425) 325-6252 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (505) 440-5678 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (507) 839-6437 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 297-5597 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (800) 614-2307 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (205) 216-4498 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (302) 268-6162 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (319) 804-0652 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (361) 393-5550 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (404) 220-9928 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (507) 839-6437 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (540) 318-2144 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (855) 297-5597 stood out as both the most frequently reported business contact number and 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.