FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 November 2017
Introduction
On Saturday, 11 November 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 402 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 911 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 43 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 201 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 402
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (201)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (50)
Where the complaints came from
Across 315 cities in 43 states and territories, a total of 402 complaints were recorded on 11 November 2017. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 50 | 12.4% |
| Iowa | 26 | 6.5% |
| Florida | 24 | 6.0% |
| New York | 24 | 6.0% |
| Texas | 23 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 20 | 5.0% |
| Michigan | 15 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 14 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 13 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 13 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 180 | 44.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 280 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 280 | 69.7% |
| TV | 76 | 18.9% |
| Internet | 39 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 6 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
280 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 201 | 71.8% |
| Billing | 32 | 11.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 4.6% |
| Equipment | 10 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 8 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 38.2% |
| Availability | 21 | 27.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 14.5% |
| Indecency | 5 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 12 | 30.8% |
| Availability | 9 | 23.1% |
| Billing | 6 | 15.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 12.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 5.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 5.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Speed, Availability and Billing.
Unwanted calls
A total of 201 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 50% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (319) 223-8071 | 9 | 4.5% |
| (814) 204-2156 | 5 | 2.5% |
| (612) 314-8755 | 3 | 1.5% |
| (813) 440-0012 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (845) 215-6980 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (201) 499-3613 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (201) 591-1427 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (201) 609-2799 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (202) 670-6683 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (203) 740-8831 | 1 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (319) 223-8071 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.