FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 December 2017

Introduction

On Wednesday, 20 December 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1054 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1037 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 637 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1054
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (637)
Most reported state/territory
California (114)

Where the complaints came from

On 20 December 2017, the 1054 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 728 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. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.

State/Territory Complaints
California 114 10.8%
Florida 78 7.4%
Texas 64 6.1%
New York 61 5.8%
Pennsylvania 61 5.8%
Ohio 41 3.9%
Washington 40 3.8%
Colorado 39 3.7%
Illinois 35 3.3%
Georgia 33 3.1%
Other states and territories 487 46.2%

Location highlight

Complaints in California were reported across 77 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 821 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 821 77.9%
TV 110 10.4%
Internet 107 10.2%
Radio 13 1.2%
Accessibility 2 0.2%
Emergency 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

821 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 637 77.6%
Billing 81 9.9%
Availability (including rural call completion) 35 4.3%
Equipment 19 2.3%
Privacy 17 2.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 10 1.2%
Interference (including signal jammers) 9 1.1%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 7 0.9%
Junk Faxes 5 0.6%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 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.

TV complaints

110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 68 61.8%
Availability 21 19.1%
Equipment 7 6.4%
Indecency 6 5.5%
Loud Commercials 4 3.6%
Interference 3 2.7%
Privacy 1 0.9%

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

Internet complaints

107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 33 30.8%
Speed 27 25.2%
Availability 20 18.7%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 13 12.1%
Interference 6 5.6%
Privacy 5 4.7%
Equipment 3 2.8%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.

Unwanted calls

There were 637 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 60.4% 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
(304) 244-0931 5 0.8%
(337) 385-3967 3 0.5%
(646) 813-6882 3 0.5%
(760) 659-8782 3 0.5%
(854) 999-4407 3 0.5%
(502) 713-8079 2 0.3%
(703) 459-9372 2 0.3%
(828) 214-5590 2 0.3%
(888) 422-1547 2 0.3%
(201) 413-5500 1 0.2%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(304) 244-0931 5 0.8%
(646) 813-6882 3 0.5%
(760) 659-8782 3 0.5%
(315) 999-0434 2 0.3%
(337) 385-3967 2 0.3%
(385) 449-3910 2 0.3%
(502) 713-8079 2 0.3%
(513) 713-0741 2 0.3%
(517) 797-9649 2 0.3%
(530) 388-1003 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (304) 244-0931 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (304) 244-0931 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 20 December 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.