FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 March 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1362 consumer complaints on 1 March 2018 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1372 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 947 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1362
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (947)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (148)
Where the complaints came from
On 1 March 2018, the 1362 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 883 cities across 52 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 148 | 10.9% |
| Florida | 111 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 100 | 7.3% |
| New York | 92 | 6.8% |
| Illinois | 73 | 5.4% |
| Ohio | 61 | 4.5% |
| Michigan | 44 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 43 | 3.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 607 | 44.6% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 90 different cities.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1139 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1139 | 83.6% |
| TV | 113 | 8.3% |
| Internet | 94 | 6.9% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1139 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 947 | 83.1% |
| Billing | 86 | 7.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 22 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 20 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
TV complaints
113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 38.1% |
| Availability | 27 | 23.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 18 | 15.9% |
| Indecency | 9 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 34.0% |
| Availability | 23 | 24.5% |
| Speed | 17 | 18.1% |
| Interference | 10 | 10.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
947 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 69.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (805) 744-3242 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (413) 213-7106 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (832) 325-3500 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (316) 395-4118 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (858) 222-1035 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 462-1543 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (206) 502-0084 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (216) 778-6531 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (218) 309-7860 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (319) 209-5839 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (805) 744-3242 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (832) 325-3500 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 524-3519 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (205) 341-8250 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (206) 502-0084 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (207) 735-6874 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (216) 778-6531 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (315) 888-0845 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (331) 300-8485 | 2 | 0.2% |
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.
- (805) 744-3242 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.