FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 November 2017
Introduction
A total of 990 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 6 November 2017, this was higher than the 255 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 586 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 990
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (586)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (135)
Where the complaints came from
The 990 complaints recorded on 6 November 2017 originated from 682 cities across 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 135 | 13.6% |
| Florida | 72 | 7.3% |
| New York | 66 | 6.7% |
| Texas | 51 | 5.2% |
| Georgia | 43 | 4.3% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 35 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 30 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 440 | 44.4% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 94 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 767 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 767 | 77.5% |
| TV | 123 | 12.4% |
| Internet | 86 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
767 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 586 | 76.4% |
| Billing | 73 | 9.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 24 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 21 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
123 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 64 | 52.0% |
| Availability | 17 | 13.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 13.0% |
| Equipment | 14 | 11.4% |
| Indecency | 7 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 41.9% |
| Speed | 16 | 18.6% |
| Availability | 15 | 17.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 9.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.3% |
Billing and Speed accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 586 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 59.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 210-6764 | 8 | 1.4% |
| (540) 602-3160 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (646) 494-8885 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (907) 202-5087 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (202) 241-6151 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (402) 707-4387 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (404) 220-9928 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (408) 844-3075 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (469) 656-8788 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (855) 210-6764 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- 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.