FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 February 2018
Introduction
On Tuesday, 6 February 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1208 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 947 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 783 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1208
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (783)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1208 complaints were recorded on 6 February 2018, with reports originating from 786 cities in 52 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 129 | 10.7% |
| Texas | 123 | 10.2% |
| Florida | 80 | 6.6% |
| New York | 69 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 4.6% |
| New Jersey | 43 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 42 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 37 | 3.1% |
| Arizona | 36 | 3.0% |
| North Carolina | 35 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 559 | 46.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 986 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 986 | 81.6% |
| TV | 102 | 8.4% |
| Internet | 98 | 8.1% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
986 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 783 | 79.4% |
| Billing | 92 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 28 | 2.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 21 | 2.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 0.9% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Interference (including signal jammers).
TV complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 61 | 59.8% |
| Availability | 14 | 13.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 12.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.9% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.9% |
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 8.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 34.7% |
| Speed | 19 | 19.4% |
| Availability | 17 | 17.3% |
| Interference | 11 | 11.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 4.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
Unwanted calls
There were 783 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 64.8% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (504) 232-4222 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (501) 295-0189 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (707) 205-3356 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 474-7851 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 798-2718 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (307) 464-3934 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (332) 255-6220 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (334) 231-1343 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (360) 569-1790 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (386) 234-2850 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (307) 464-3934 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (504) 232-4222 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (501) 295-0189 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 474-7851 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 798-2718 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (360) 569-1790 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (413) 296-1415 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (417) 567-0866 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (442) 347-0090 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (307) 464-3934 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (504) 232-4222 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.