FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 February 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1159 consumer complaints on Monday, 26 February 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 277 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 801 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1159
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (801)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
The 1159 complaints recorded on 26 February 2018 originated from 808 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 128 | 11.0% |
| Texas | 96 | 8.3% |
| Florida | 82 | 7.1% |
| New York | 64 | 5.5% |
| Michigan | 59 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 46 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 39 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 34 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 513 | 44.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 967 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 967 | 83.4% |
| Internet | 87 | 7.5% |
| TV | 86 | 7.4% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
967 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 801 | 82.8% |
| Billing | 71 | 7.3% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.1% |
| Equipment | 15 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Privacy and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 35.6% |
| Availability | 18 | 20.7% |
| Speed | 17 | 19.5% |
| Interference | 8 | 9.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 51.2% |
| Availability | 12 | 14.0% |
| Indecency | 10 | 11.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 801 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 69.1% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 888-0290 | 13 | 1.6% |
| (717) 407-0493 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (415) 848-4445 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (605) 206-7013 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 753-8473 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (219) 318-1200 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (289) 800-0303 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (360) 444-1864 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (504) 517-1656 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (716) 899-1019 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 888-0290 | 12 | 1.5% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (206) 899-3542 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (717) 407-0493 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (860) 786-4757 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (931) 809-8126 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (931) 922-0508 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 753-8473 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (269) 358-8157 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (289) 800-0303 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 888-0290 stood out as both the most frequently reported business contact number and 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.