FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 March 2018
Introduction
On 5 March 2018, 1081 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 247 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 626 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1081
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (626)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (111)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 5 March 2018 show 1081 complaints originating from 726 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 111 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 83 | 7.7% |
| New York | 72 | 6.7% |
| Florida | 71 | 6.6% |
| Illinois | 46 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 41 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.3% |
| Missouri | 34 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 505 | 46.7% |
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 821 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 821 | 75.9% |
| TV | 118 | 10.9% |
| Internet | 97 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 39 | 3.6% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
821 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 626 | 76.2% |
| Billing | 80 | 9.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 32 | 3.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 3.3% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Junk Faxes and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 44.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 35 | 29.7% |
| Availability | 16 | 13.6% |
| Indecency | 8 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Loud Commercials accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 37.1% |
| Availability | 17 | 17.5% |
| Speed | 15 | 15.5% |
| Interference | 13 | 13.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 7.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Radio complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 20 | 51.3% |
| Interference | 14 | 35.9% |
| Availability | 2 | 5.1% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 5.1% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.6% |
Indecency and Interference accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
626 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 57.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (213) 262-2470 | 8 | 1.3% |
| (832) 303-6856 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (605) 206-7013 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (623) 240-9087 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (801) 345-8901 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (201) 834-0672 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (206) 420-0003 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (215) 464-9035 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (319) 220-0006 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (440) 336-8090 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (623) 240-9087 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (832) 303-6856 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (440) 336-8090 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (201) 834-0672 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (206) 420-0003 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (470) 208-7955 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (571) 377-1473 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (888) 407-4102 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (206) 257-7593 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (219) 318-1200 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
- (213) 262-2470 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.