FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 January 2018
Introduction
On 23 January 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1255 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1021 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 766 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1255
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (766)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (191)
Where the complaints came from
The 1255 complaints recorded on 23 January 2018 were submitted from 792 cities across 53 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 191 | 15.2% |
| Texas | 111 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 107 | 8.5% |
| New York | 59 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 51 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 43 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.4% |
| Colorado | 38 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 36 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 528 | 42.1% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 98 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 978 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 978 | 77.9% |
| Internet | 124 | 9.9% |
| TV | 122 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 23 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
978 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 766 | 78.3% |
| Billing | 103 | 10.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 12 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
124 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 39.5% |
| Speed | 22 | 17.7% |
| Availability | 20 | 16.1% |
| Interference | 12 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
122 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 48.4% |
| Availability | 22 | 18.0% |
| Equipment | 13 | 10.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.4% |
| Indecency | 7 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 2.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 766 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 61% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (888) 343-2156 | 28 | 3.7% |
| (319) 250-2004 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (203) 983-5994 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (315) 818-5332 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (470) 481-5352 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (541) 200-6351 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (669) 215-0184 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (218) 345-5870 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (313) 444-1018 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (323) 331-9709 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (888) 343-2156 | 28 | 3.7% |
| (209) 292-5969 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (218) 345-5870 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (315) 818-5332 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (470) 481-5352 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (669) 215-0184 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (312) 702-2783 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (470) 481-5350 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (541) 288-9619 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (616) 285-8140 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (888) 343-2156 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (888) 343-2156 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.