FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 January 2018
Introduction
A total of 1173 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 3 January 2018, this represented an increase from the 874 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 661 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1173
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (661)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (165)
Where the complaints came from
The 1173 complaints recorded on 3 January 2018 were submitted from 781 cities across 49 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 165 | 14.1% |
| Florida | 96 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 80 | 6.8% |
| New York | 71 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 67 | 5.7% |
| Georgia | 55 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 36 | 3.1% |
| Virginia | 35 | 3.0% |
| Arizona | 34 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 490 | 41.8% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 838 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 838 | 71.4% |
| TV | 182 | 15.5% |
| Internet | 140 | 11.9% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
838 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 661 | 78.9% |
| Billing | 67 | 8.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 3.6% |
| Equipment | 30 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
TV complaints
182 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 85 | 46.7% |
| Availability | 36 | 19.8% |
| Indecency | 29 | 15.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 12 | 6.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 1.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
140 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 36 | 25.7% |
| Billing | 36 | 25.7% |
| Speed | 26 | 18.6% |
| Equipment | 15 | 10.7% |
| Interference | 13 | 9.3% |
| Privacy | 10 | 7.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 2.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Billing and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
661 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 56.4% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (844) 213-4104 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (843) 534-5825 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (855) 979-6496 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (323) 316-2651 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (435) 574-2661 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (520) 422-6566 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (678) 713-8399 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 399-2058 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 696-6639 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (555) 555-5555 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.