FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 January 2018
Introduction
On 18 January 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1239 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1365 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 750 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1239
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (750)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (138)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 18 January 2018 show 1239 complaints originating from 808 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 138 | 11.1% |
| Florida | 123 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 88 | 7.1% |
| New York | 69 | 5.6% |
| Washington | 63 | 5.1% |
| Ohio | 62 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 56 | 4.5% |
| Virginia | 51 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 42 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 501 | 40.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 949 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 949 | 76.6% |
| Internet | 156 | 12.6% |
| TV | 115 | 9.3% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
949 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 750 | 79.0% |
| Billing | 78 | 8.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 20 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.8% |
| 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 often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
156 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 28.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 37 | 23.7% |
| Speed | 30 | 19.2% |
| Availability | 25 | 16.0% |
| Privacy | 9 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.6% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Speed.
TV complaints
115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 47.8% |
| Availability | 19 | 16.5% |
| Indecency | 19 | 16.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 750 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 60.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (407) 495-2404 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (443) 720-7032 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (845) 215-6980 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (972) 464-1936 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (254) 267-3474 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (855) 625-7705 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (332) 255-6220 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (513) 604-8995 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (651) 762-3478 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (661) 654-9543 | 3 | 0.4% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (407) 495-2404 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (207) 213-1809 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (254) 267-3474 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (855) 625-7705 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (209) 269-2936 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (216) 672-3784 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (513) 604-2532 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (661) 654-9543 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (714) 927-9004 | 3 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (407) 495-2404 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
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.