FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 January 2018

Introduction

On 30 January 2018, 1226 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1068 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 800 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1226
States & territories reporting
53
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (800)
Most reported state/territory
California (170)

Where the complaints came from

The 1226 complaints recorded on 30 January 2018 were submitted from 795 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 170 13.9%
Florida 97 7.9%
Texas 91 7.4%
New York 67 5.5%
Pennsylvania 60 4.9%
Ohio 45 3.7%
Illinois 43 3.5%
New Jersey 42 3.4%
Virginia 40 3.3%
Arizona 36 2.9%
Other states and territories 531 43.3%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1014 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1014 82.7%
Internet 97 7.9%
TV 96 7.8%
Radio 15 1.2%
Accessibility 2 0.2%
Emergency 2 0.2%

Phone complaints

1014 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 800 78.9%
Billing 81 8.0%
Availability (including rural call completion) 30 3.0%
Equipment 25 2.5%
Interference (including signal jammers) 22 2.2%
Privacy 19 1.9%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 15 1.5%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 10 1.0%
Junk Faxes 10 1.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

Internet complaints

97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 37 38.1%
Privacy 16 16.5%
Speed 15 15.5%
Availability 13 13.4%
Equipment 7 7.2%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 5 5.2%
Interference 4 4.1%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Privacy and Speed.

TV complaints

96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 54 56.3%
Availability 13 13.5%
Indecency 10 10.4%
Equipment 8 8.3%
Loud Commercials 5 5.2%
Interference 4 4.2%
Privacy 2 2.1%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Unwanted calls

A total of 800 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 65.3% 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
(833) 225-9738 8 1.0%
(201) 227-9431 5 0.6%
(217) 208-9865 3 0.4%
(240) 348-3745 3 0.4%
(409) 908-3162 3 0.4%
(661) 526-2031 3 0.4%
(707) 637-2717 3 0.4%
(833) 223-4434 3 0.4%
(203) 889-7040 2 0.3%
(206) 457-0576 2 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(833) 225-9738 11 1.4%
(437) 806-1209 6 0.8%
(833) 223-4434 5 0.6%
(201) 227-9431 4 0.5%
(661) 526-2031 4 0.5%
(310) 633-2670 3 0.4%
(409) 908-3162 3 0.4%
(707) 637-2717 3 0.4%
(805) 744-1445 3 0.4%
(813) 291-7119 3 0.4%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (833) 225-9738 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (833) 225-9738 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 30 January 2018.

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.