FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 December 2017
Introduction
A total of 1037 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, 19 December 2017, this represented an increase from the 940 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 651 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1037
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (651)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (127)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1037 complaints were recorded on 19 December 2017, with reports originating from 702 cities in 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Louisiana, where Meraux accounted for 27 of the 31 complaints recorded in the state.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 127 | 12.2% |
| Florida | 81 | 7.8% |
| Texas | 67 | 6.5% |
| New York | 57 | 5.5% |
| Ohio | 44 | 4.2% |
| Colorado | 39 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 37 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 36 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 33 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 475 | 45.8% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Louisiana originated from Meraux, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 815 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 815 | 78.6% |
| Internet | 111 | 10.7% |
| TV | 90 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
815 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 651 | 79.9% |
| Billing | 63 | 7.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.6% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail 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
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 34.2% |
| Speed | 23 | 20.7% |
| Availability | 17 | 15.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 12.6% |
| Equipment | 11 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.7% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 52.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 11.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 10.0% |
| Availability | 8 | 8.9% |
| Indecency | 8 | 8.9% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Equipment, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 651 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 62.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (516) 203-7003 | 8 | 1.2% |
| (218) 501-0040 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (281) 237-5689 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (225) 347-5488 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (860) 924-2919 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (212) 787-1349 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (216) 226-2143 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (339) 207-0002 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (607) 203-9685 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (717) 781-2111 | 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.
- (516) 203-7003 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.