FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 March 2018
Introduction
On 10 March 2018, 401 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1153 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 44 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 216 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 401
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (216)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (53)
Where the complaints came from
The 401 complaints recorded on 10 March 2018 originated from 305 cities across 44 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 53 | 13.2% |
| New York | 28 | 7.0% |
| Florida | 27 | 6.7% |
| Texas | 27 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 26 | 6.5% |
| Illinois | 18 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 16 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 14 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 13 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 12 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 167 | 41.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 282 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 282 | 70.3% |
| TV | 54 | 13.5% |
| Internet | 44 | 11.0% |
| Radio | 17 | 4.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
282 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 216 | 76.6% |
| Billing | 32 | 11.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.4% |
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
54 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 50.0% |
| Availability | 10 | 18.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 11.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.7% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
44 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 14 | 31.8% |
| Speed | 11 | 25.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 11.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 11.4% |
| Availability | 4 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 9.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 2.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Interference among the most common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 216 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 53.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (876) 417-3246 | 5 | 2.3% |
| (412) 336-8632 | 3 | 1.4% |
| (312) 640-1321 | 2 | 0.9% |
| (571) 365-0967 | 2 | 0.9% |
| (202) 754-8411 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (203) 592-4945 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (206) 212-1296 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (206) 565-1478 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (207) 374-2841 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (209) 763-8060 | 1 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Live Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (876) 417-3246 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.