FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 January 2018
Introduction
A total of 1224 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 31 January 2018, this represented a decline from the 1226 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 774 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1224
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (774)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (151)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 31 January 2018 show 1224 complaints originating from 802 cities across 51 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 151 | 12.3% |
| Florida | 103 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 87 | 7.1% |
| Ohio | 52 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 51 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 50 | 4.1% |
| New York | 49 | 4.0% |
| Michigan | 44 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 42 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 537 | 43.9% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 984 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 984 | 80.4% |
| TV | 116 | 9.5% |
| Internet | 98 | 8.0% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 7 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
984 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 774 | 78.7% |
| Billing | 77 | 7.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 22 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
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.
TV complaints
116 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 54.3% |
| Availability | 19 | 16.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 9.5% |
| Indecency | 9 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 35.7% |
| Availability | 28 | 28.6% |
| Speed | 13 | 13.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 8.2% |
| Privacy | 6 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 774 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 63.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (833) 225-9738 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (833) 223-4434 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (218) 579-2093 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (501) 254-6006 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (716) 210-8465 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (206) 457-0576 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (253) 944-9299 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (281) 269-3410 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (301) 602-6151 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
- 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.