FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 January 2018
Introduction
On 12 January 2018, 1156 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 1140 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 689 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1156
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (689)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (136)
Where the complaints came from
Across 795 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1156 complaints were recorded on 12 January 2018. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 136 | 11.8% |
| Florida | 104 | 9.0% |
| New York | 74 | 6.4% |
| Texas | 74 | 6.4% |
| Georgia | 46 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 46 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 37 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 519 | 44.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 873 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 873 | 75.5% |
| TV | 178 | 15.4% |
| Internet | 72 | 6.2% |
| Radio | 29 | 2.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
873 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 689 | 78.9% |
| Billing | 83 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 25 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 23 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Privacy.
TV complaints
178 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 91 | 51.1% |
| Billing | 56 | 31.5% |
| Availability | 15 | 8.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 4.5% |
| Interference | 6 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 1.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 38.9% |
| Speed | 15 | 20.8% |
| Availability | 13 | 18.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.2% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 4.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
Unwanted calls
A total of 689 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 59.6% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (877) 859-1069 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (866) 291-3926 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (203) 763-1004 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (336) 414-5834 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (405) 300-5713 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (408) 454-5940 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (413) 507-0831 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (435) 222-2003 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (585) 582-5977 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (877) 859-1069 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.