FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 February 2018
Introduction
A total of 266 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 4 February 2018, this represented a decline from the 505 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 43 states and territories, with Missouri reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 92 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 266
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (92)
- Most reported state/territory
- Missouri (31)
Where the complaints came from
Across 203 cities in 43 states and territories, a total of 266 complaints were recorded on 4 February 2018. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Missouri, where Sullivan accounted for 27 of the 31 complaints recorded in the state.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 31 | 11.7% |
| California | 24 | 9.0% |
| New York | 24 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 18 | 6.8% |
| Texas | 18 | 6.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 12 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 11 | 4.1% |
| Massachusetts | 11 | 4.1% |
| Virginia | 10 | 3.8% |
| Arizona | 7 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 100 | 37.6% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Missouri originated from Sullivan, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 133 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 133 | 50.0% |
| TV | 67 | 25.2% |
| Internet | 47 | 17.7% |
| Radio | 18 | 6.8% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
133 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 50.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 92 | 69.2% |
| Billing | 16 | 12.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 5.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 4 | 3.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.8% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
TV complaints
67 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 32 | 47.8% |
| Billing | 16 | 23.9% |
| Availability | 9 | 13.4% |
| Indecency | 7 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
Loud Commercials and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
47 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 13 | 27.7% |
| Speed | 13 | 27.7% |
| Billing | 11 | 23.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 12.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Speed and Billing among the most common.
Unwanted calls
92 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 34.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (508) 876-2432 | 7 | 7.6% |
| (716) 362-9245 | 2 | 2.2% |
| (812) 561-0206 | 2 | 2.2% |
| (202) 900-8125 | 1 | 1.1% |
| (214) 451-3192 | 1 | 1.1% |
| (214) 702-5812 | 1 | 1.1% |
| (267) 521-1335 | 1 | 1.1% |
| (281) 624-4477 | 1 | 1.1% |
| (281) 732-7626 | 1 | 1.1% |
| (310) 633-2670 | 1 | 1.1% |
Key patterns
- Unwanted call complaints were spread across multiple call types with similar counts.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (508) 876-2432 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.