FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 February 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1222 consumer complaints on 20 February 2018 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 857 complaints the previous day. 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 819 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1222
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (819)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
The 1222 complaints recorded on 20 February 2018 originated from 813 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 129 | 10.6% |
| Texas | 92 | 7.5% |
| Florida | 83 | 6.8% |
| New York | 60 | 4.9% |
| Colorado | 50 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 50 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 41 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 36 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 588 | 48.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 997 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 997 | 81.6% |
| TV | 114 | 9.3% |
| Internet | 92 | 7.5% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
997 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 819 | 82.1% |
| Billing | 74 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 29 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
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 Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 64 | 56.1% |
| Availability | 20 | 17.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.1% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 38.0% |
| Speed | 19 | 20.7% |
| Availability | 17 | 18.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.6% |
| Privacy | 7 | 7.6% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
Unwanted calls
819 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 67% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (747) 212-5913 | 14 | 1.7% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (712) 587-5165 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (425) 921-1560 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (206) 495-9251 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (207) 520-5622 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (312) 319-8018 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (323) 486-0113 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (347) 718-0929 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (605) 250-0390 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (747) 212-5913 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- 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.