FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 November 2017
Introduction
On 12 November 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 268 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 402 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 41 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 114 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 268
- States & territories reporting
- 41
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (114)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (37)
Where the complaints came from
The 268 complaints recorded on 12 November 2017 originated from 205 cities across 41 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 37 | 13.8% |
| Iowa | 26 | 9.7% |
| Texas | 25 | 9.3% |
| Florida | 22 | 8.2% |
| New York | 14 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 11 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 9 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 8 | 3.0% |
| Washington | 8 | 3.0% |
| Michigan | 7 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 101 | 37.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 161 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 161 | 60.1% |
| TV | 56 | 20.9% |
| Internet | 41 | 15.3% |
| Radio | 7 | 2.6% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 1.1% |
Phone complaints
161 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 114 | 70.8% |
| Billing | 17 | 10.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 7 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.6% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy among the most common.
TV complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 18 | 32.1% |
| Indecency | 10 | 17.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 17.9% |
| Availability | 7 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 5.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Indecency and Loud Commercials among the most common.
Internet complaints
41 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 11 | 26.8% |
| Speed | 9 | 22.0% |
| Billing | 8 | 19.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 12.2% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 7.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 4.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Speed and Billing among the most common.
Unwanted calls
114 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 42.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (319) 400-2143 | 5 | 4.4% |
| (802) 232-3648 | 3 | 2.6% |
| (319) 223-8071 | 2 | 1.8% |
| (202) 751-8107 | 1 | 0.9% |
| (203) 360-8169 | 1 | 0.9% |
| (206) 948-9225 | 1 | 0.9% |
| (209) 279-5735 | 1 | 0.9% |
| (209) 330-0658 | 1 | 0.9% |
| (252) 562-9288 | 1 | 0.9% |
| (256) 269-1305 | 1 | 0.9% |
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) 400-2143 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.