FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 December 2017
Introduction
On 12 December 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1124 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 986 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 54 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 614 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1124
- States & territories reporting
- 54
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (614)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (136)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1124 complaints were recorded on 12 December 2017, with reports originating from 748 cities in 54 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 136 | 12.1% |
| Florida | 85 | 7.6% |
| Texas | 78 | 6.9% |
| New York | 64 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 35 | 3.1% |
| Arizona | 34 | 3.0% |
| New Jersey | 34 | 3.0% |
| North Carolina | 32 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 528 | 47.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 813 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 813 | 72.3% |
| Internet | 171 | 15.2% |
| TV | 121 | 10.8% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
813 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 614 | 75.5% |
| Billing | 101 | 12.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
171 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 64 | 37.4% |
| Billing | 45 | 26.3% |
| Availability | 31 | 18.1% |
| Speed | 17 | 9.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 64 | 52.9% |
| Availability | 26 | 21.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.4% |
| Indecency | 9 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 614 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 54.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (605) 983-8450 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (315) 233-5920 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (504) 303-8314 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (513) 434-3118 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (203) 983-5994 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (209) 253-7090 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (229) 226-3547 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (304) 238-7564 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (313) 444-1018 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (513) 457-6511 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.
- (605) 983-8450 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.