FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 January 2018
Introduction
A total of 1301 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 16 January 2018, this represented an increase from the 1153 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with New York reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 715 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1301
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (715)
- Most reported state/territory
- New York (224)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 16 January 2018 show 1301 complaints originating from 754 cities across 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in New York, where Lafayette accounted for 160 of the 224 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 224 | 17.2% |
| California | 125 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 94 | 7.2% |
| Texas | 90 | 6.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 62 | 4.8% |
| North Carolina | 51 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 42 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 36 | 2.8% |
| Illinois | 36 | 2.8% |
| Washington | 32 | 2.5% |
| Other states and territories | 501 | 38.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in New York were heavily concentrated in Lafayette, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 901 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 901 | 69.3% |
| Internet | 254 | 19.5% |
| TV | 127 | 9.8% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
901 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 715 | 79.4% |
| Billing | 88 | 9.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 16 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
254 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | 166 | 65.4% |
| Billing | 34 | 13.4% |
| Availability | 22 | 8.7% |
| Speed | 15 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 3.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.6% |
Equipment and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
127 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 51 | 40.2% |
| Billing | 48 | 37.8% |
| Availability | 11 | 8.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 5.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
Indecency and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
715 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 55% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (254) 267-3474 | 10 | 1.4% |
| (315) 689-3291 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (607) 656-8124 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (425) 412-2539 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (231) 715-5071 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (336) 842-8299 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (813) 454-3497 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (928) 856-7050 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (213) 799-1598 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (319) 250-2004 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (254) 267-3474 | 10 | 1.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (231) 715-5071 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (213) 799-1598 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (318) 527-4813 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (321) 328-1348 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (336) 842-8299 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (337) 210-7023 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (607) 656-8124 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (608) 299-6202 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (254) 267-3474 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (254) 267-3474 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.