FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 February 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1092 consumer complaints on Monday, 12 February 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 324 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 706 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1092
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (706)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (119)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1092 complaints were recorded on 12 February 2018, with reports originating from 740 cities in 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 119 | 10.9% |
| Florida | 80 | 7.3% |
| Texas | 73 | 6.7% |
| New York | 61 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 46 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 44 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 44 | 4.0% |
| North Carolina | 38 | 3.5% |
| Arizona | 35 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 497 | 45.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 873 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 873 | 79.9% |
| TV | 123 | 11.3% |
| Internet | 74 | 6.8% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.8% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
873 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 706 | 80.9% |
| Billing | 63 | 7.2% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Privacy and Equipment among the most common.
TV complaints
123 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 43.1% |
| Availability | 24 | 19.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 21 | 17.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 8.9% |
| Indecency | 9 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 31.1% |
| Availability | 13 | 17.6% |
| Speed | 13 | 17.6% |
| Privacy | 9 | 12.2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 9.5% |
| Interference | 6 | 8.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 4.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 706 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 64.7% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (714) 927-9061 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (205) 909-2570 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (207) 891-7891 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (253) 394-9002 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (254) 275-6140 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (303) 583-7310 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (307) 464-3934 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (315) 274-2637 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (406) 215-1111 | 2 | 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.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.