FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 November 2017
Introduction
A total of 911 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 20 November 2017, this represented an increase from the 241 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 549 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 911
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (549)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (113)
Where the complaints came from
Across 607 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 911 complaints were recorded on 20 November 2017. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 | 113 | 12.4% |
| New York | 83 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 67 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 57 | 6.3% |
| Ohio | 43 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 4.6% |
| New Jersey | 36 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 33 | 3.6% |
| Connecticut | 29 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 25 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 378 | 41.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 76 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 739 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 739 | 81.1% |
| TV | 88 | 9.7% |
| Internet | 73 | 8.0% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
739 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 549 | 74.3% |
| Billing | 81 | 11.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 23 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 12 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
88 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 45.5% |
| Availability | 15 | 17.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 15.9% |
| Indecency | 5 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
73 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 19 | 26.0% |
| Billing | 18 | 24.7% |
| Equipment | 9 | 12.3% |
| Speed | 9 | 12.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 9.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 9.6% |
| Privacy | 4 | 5.5% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Equipment.
Unwanted calls
A total of 549 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 60.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (518) 621-4039 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (229) 226-3547 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (312) 219-6125 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (516) 203-7003 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (760) 592-8438 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (701) 645-8856 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (719) 505-9079 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (202) 717-9032 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (202) 899-9021 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (203) 760-7777 | 2 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (518) 621-4039 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- 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.