FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 February 2018
Introduction
A total of 1197 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 1 February 2018, this was lower than the 1224 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 770 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1197
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (770)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (137)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1197 complaints were recorded on 1 February 2018, with reports originating from 806 cities in 53 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Oregon, where Roseburg accounted for 20 of the 32 complaints recorded.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 137 | 11.4% |
| Florida | 96 | 8.0% |
| Texas | 79 | 6.6% |
| New York | 68 | 5.7% |
| New Jersey | 52 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 4.3% |
| Virginia | 46 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 39 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 37 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 540 | 45.1% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Oregon were heavily concentrated in Roseburg, 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 962 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 962 | 80.4% |
| Internet | 111 | 9.3% |
| TV | 96 | 8.0% |
| Radio | 23 | 1.9% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
962 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 770 | 80.0% |
| Billing | 77 | 8.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 30 | 3.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 17 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Interference (including signal jammers) and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 39.6% |
| Availability | 33 | 29.7% |
| Interference | 10 | 9.0% |
| Speed | 10 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 2.7% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 54.2% |
| Availability | 15 | 15.6% |
| Equipment | 12 | 12.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 10.4% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
770 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 64.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 223-4434 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (407) 551-0404 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (406) 813-5945 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (530) 402-7538 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (719) 280-9196 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (833) 225-9738 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (855) 832-2111 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (973) 512-7347 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 227-9431 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 897-2656 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (833) 223-4434 | 7 | 0.9% |
| (801) 396-7842 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (833) 225-9738 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (406) 813-5945 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (407) 551-0404 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (530) 402-7538 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (551) 257-3749 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (719) 280-9196 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (773) 455-4912 | 3 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (555) 555-5555 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (833) 223-4434 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.