FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 February 2018
Introduction
On Wednesday, 7 February 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1297 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1208 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with Texas recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 867 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1297
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (867)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (138)
Where the complaints came from
The 1297 complaints recorded on 7 February 2018 were submitted from 832 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. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 138 | 10.6% |
| California | 125 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 90 | 6.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 70 | 5.4% |
| Ohio | 64 | 4.9% |
| New York | 61 | 4.7% |
| Missouri | 47 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 41 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 38 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 578 | 44.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 83 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1060 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1060 | 81.7% |
| TV | 123 | 9.5% |
| Internet | 101 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 11 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1060 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 867 | 81.8% |
| Billing | 72 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 30 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 28 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 2.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 12 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 0.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Privacy and Equipment.
TV complaints
123 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 40.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 32 | 26.0% |
| Availability | 16 | 13.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.7% |
| Indecency | 7 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 39.6% |
| Availability | 22 | 21.8% |
| Speed | 19 | 18.8% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 4.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
867 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 66.8% 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) 225-9739 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (478) 345-1718 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (504) 232-4222 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (606) 391-1369 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (617) 555-0003 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (737) 204-0225 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 629-9620 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (206) 734-4595 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (207) 466-1652 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (235) 895-5784 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 8 | 0.9% |
| (833) 225-9739 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (504) 232-4222 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (509) 497-7030 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (805) 210-8019 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (985) 401-2199 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (206) 734-4595 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (478) 345-1718 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (606) 391-1369 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (913) 839-7310 | 3 | 0.3% |
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) 225-9739 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.