FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 January 2018
Introduction
On Friday, 5 January 2018, 979 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1172 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 588 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 979
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (588)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
The 979 complaints recorded on 5 January 2018 originated from 724 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 128 | 13.1% |
| Florida | 81 | 8.3% |
| New York | 70 | 7.2% |
| Texas | 61 | 6.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 33 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 31 | 3.2% |
| Maryland | 30 | 3.1% |
| Michigan | 29 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 428 | 43.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 751 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 751 | 76.7% |
| Internet | 109 | 11.1% |
| TV | 102 | 10.4% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
751 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 588 | 78.3% |
| Billing | 78 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.3% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 32.1% |
| Speed | 26 | 23.9% |
| Availability | 25 | 22.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 49.0% |
| Availability | 25 | 24.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.8% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 588 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 60.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (843) 534-5823 | 7 | 1.2% |
| (716) 215-2776 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (209) 342-1500 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (646) 918-1845 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (786) 406-7573 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (267) 799-1780 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (843) 534-5825 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (860) 405-7964 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (272) 200-0283 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (302) 549-8889 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (843) 534-5823 | 8 | 1.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (267) 799-1780 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (860) 405-7964 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (209) 342-1500 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (215) 383-0987 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (240) 660-5106 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (272) 200-0283 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (631) 954-4453 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (646) 918-1845 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (843) 534-5823 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (843) 534-5823 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.