FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 November 2017

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1055 consumer complaints on 30 November 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1067 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 687 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1055
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (687)
Most reported state/territory
California (124)

Where the complaints came from

Reports recorded on 30 November 2017 show 1055 complaints originating from 713 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 124 11.8%
Florida 81 7.7%
Texas 76 7.2%
Ohio 50 4.7%
Pennsylvania 48 4.5%
New Jersey 47 4.5%
New York 47 4.5%
Michigan 46 4.4%
Illinois 39 3.7%
Washington 36 3.4%
Other states and territories 458 43.4%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 843 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 843 79.9%
Internet 116 11.0%
TV 85 8.1%
Radio 6 0.6%
Emergency 3 0.3%
Accessibility 2 0.2%

Phone complaints

843 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 687 81.5%
Billing 69 8.2%
Availability (including rural call completion) 22 2.6%
Equipment 17 2.0%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 12 1.4%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 12 1.4%
Junk Faxes 9 1.1%
Privacy 9 1.1%
Interference (including signal jammers) 5 0.6%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 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.

Internet complaints

116 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 43 37.1%
Availability 21 18.1%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 20 17.2%
Equipment 9 7.8%
Privacy 9 7.8%
Speed 9 7.8%
Interference 5 4.3%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.

TV complaints

85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 44 51.8%
Availability 13 15.3%
Indecency 9 10.6%
Equipment 8 9.4%
Loud Commercials 5 5.9%
Interference 4 4.7%
Privacy 2 2.4%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Unwanted calls

There were 687 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 65.1% 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
(516) 203-7003 8 1.2%
(239) 244-8144 4 0.6%
(475) 221-7100 4 0.6%
(201) 885-4372 3 0.4%
(337) 423-7158 3 0.4%
(855) 303-5749 3 0.4%
(859) 577-1810 3 0.4%
(870) 759-3634 3 0.4%
(877) 826-9760 3 0.4%
(209) 759-2510 2 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(516) 203-7003 7 1.0%
(337) 423-7158 4 0.6%
(555) 555-5555 4 0.6%
(855) 303-5660 4 0.6%
(201) 885-4372 3 0.4%
(770) 693-4379 3 0.4%
(208) 268-1769 2 0.3%
(216) 716-1049 2 0.3%
(321) 270-9946 2 0.3%
(425) 333-3452 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (516) 203-7003 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (516) 203-7003 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 30 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.