FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 November 2017
Introduction
On Wednesday, 8 November 2017, 1184 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 1112 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 761 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1184
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (761)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (156)
Where the complaints came from
Across 777 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 1184 complaints were recorded on 8 November 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 shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 156 | 13.2% |
| Texas | 111 | 9.4% |
| Florida | 94 | 7.9% |
| New York | 62 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 42 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 40 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 40 | 3.4% |
| Alabama | 35 | 3.0% |
| Georgia | 34 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 515 | 43.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 99 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 955 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 955 | 80.7% |
| TV | 120 | 10.1% |
| Internet | 84 | 7.1% |
| Radio | 22 | 1.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
955 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 761 | 79.7% |
| Billing | 73 | 7.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 3.5% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 47.5% |
| Availability | 29 | 24.2% |
| Equipment | 21 | 17.5% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 27.4% |
| Availability | 18 | 21.4% |
| Speed | 17 | 20.2% |
| Interference | 10 | 11.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Unwanted calls
There were 761 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 64.3% 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) 303-5660 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (440) 864-1327 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (702) 602-4960 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (516) 453-6886 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 380-0114 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (203) 983-5994 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (206) 736-7083 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (302) 689-8167 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (315) 203-2112 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (407) 961-8778 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 210-6764 | 12 | 1.6% |
| (855) 303-5660 | 8 | 1.1% |
| (702) 602-4960 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (302) 689-8167 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (617) 391-7343 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 787-0000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (828) 743-2063 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (833) 525-4244 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (919) 626-4107 | 3 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (855) 210-6764 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (855) 303-5660 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.