FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 March 2018
Introduction
On 8 March 2018, 1224 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 1194 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 54 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 812 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1224
- States & territories reporting
- 54
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (812)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (155)
Where the complaints came from
Across 824 cities in 54 states and territories, a total of 1224 complaints were recorded on 8 March 2018. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 155 | 12.7% |
| Florida | 102 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 89 | 7.3% |
| New York | 60 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 47 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 45 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 42 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 551 | 45.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 991 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 991 | 81.0% |
| TV | 114 | 9.3% |
| Internet | 91 | 7.4% |
| Radio | 24 | 2.0% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
991 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 812 | 81.9% |
| Billing | 79 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 25 | 2.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 52.6% |
| Availability | 16 | 14.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 12.3% |
| Indecency | 13 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 33.0% |
| Speed | 21 | 23.1% |
| Availability | 16 | 17.6% |
| Interference | 10 | 11.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
Unwanted calls
A total of 812 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 66.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (631) 320-7318 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (208) 994-0347 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (501) 476-1035 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (833) 280-5187 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (954) 278-3116 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 241-0233 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (302) 683-1226 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (305) 320-8114 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (346) 201-6447 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (631) 320-7318 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.