FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 February 2018
Introduction
On Friday, 2 February 2018, 1104 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1197 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 755 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1104
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (755)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (117)
Where the complaints came from
The 1104 complaints recorded on 2 February 2018 originated from 739 cities across 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant 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 | 117 | 10.6% |
| Texas | 112 | 10.1% |
| Florida | 83 | 7.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 68 | 6.2% |
| New York | 59 | 5.3% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 33 | 3.0% |
| New Jersey | 33 | 3.0% |
| Illinois | 32 | 2.9% |
| Maryland | 32 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 495 | 44.8% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 923 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 923 | 83.6% |
| Internet | 90 | 8.2% |
| TV | 76 | 6.9% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
923 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 755 | 81.8% |
| Billing | 63 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 15 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 37.8% |
| Availability | 16 | 17.8% |
| Interference | 11 | 12.2% |
| Speed | 11 | 12.2% |
| Privacy | 10 | 11.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Interference.
TV complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 53.9% |
| Availability | 14 | 18.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 9.2% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 755 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 68.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (406) 813-5945 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (254) 699-3136 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (520) 442-6140 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (559) 478-8342 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (816) 245-7360 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (832) 225-3016 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (207) 677-6497 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (234) 222-0855 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (267) 515-2557 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (307) 464-3934 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (406) 813-5945 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.