FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 November 2017

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1067 consumer complaints on 29 November 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1095 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 676 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1067
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (676)
Most reported state/territory
California (131)

Where the complaints came from

Reports recorded on 29 November 2017 show 1067 complaints originating from 688 cities across 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.

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 131 12.3%
Texas 90 8.4%
Florida 79 7.4%
New York 58 5.4%
Pennsylvania 50 4.7%
Ohio 46 4.3%
Illinois 38 3.6%
Georgia 36 3.4%
New Jersey 33 3.1%
Virginia 33 3.1%
Other states and territories 464 43.5%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 854 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 854 80.0%
Internet 118 11.1%
TV 76 7.1%
Radio 14 1.3%
Accessibility 3 0.3%
Emergency 2 0.2%

Phone complaints

854 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 676 79.2%
Billing 74 8.7%
Availability (including rural call completion) 28 3.3%
Equipment 18 2.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 16 1.9%
Privacy 14 1.6%
Junk Faxes 13 1.5%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 10 1.2%
Interference (including signal jammers) 2 0.2%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.1%
Rural Call Completion 1 0.1%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 1 0.1%

As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

Internet complaints

118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 37 31.4%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 35 29.7%
Availability 20 16.9%
Speed 12 10.2%
Equipment 7 5.9%
Privacy 5 4.2%
Interference 2 1.7%

Billing and Open Internet/Net Neutrality accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

TV complaints

76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 44 57.9%
Availability 16 21.1%
Loud Commercials 6 7.9%
Equipment 5 6.6%
Indecency 3 3.9%
Interference 2 2.6%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Unwanted calls

A total of 676 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 63.4% 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
(301) 371-1875 9 1.3%
(725) 223-1082 4 0.6%
(206) 278-2162 3 0.4%
(425) 372-5310 3 0.4%
(443) 419-9861 3 0.4%
(502) 890-2039 3 0.4%
(513) 457-6519 3 0.4%
(516) 203-7003 3 0.4%
(855) 328-8602 3 0.4%
(212) 226-3126 2 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(301) 371-1875 7 1.0%
(206) 278-2162 3 0.4%
(425) 372-5310 3 0.4%
(502) 890-2039 3 0.4%
(516) 203-7003 3 0.4%
(725) 223-1082 3 0.4%
(201) 834-0887 2 0.3%
(401) 216-1791 2 0.3%
(408) 752-5280 2 0.3%
(442) 227-9763 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (301) 371-1875 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • (301) 371-1875 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 29 November 2017.

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.