FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 March 2018
Introduction
On Monday, 12 March 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1037 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 274 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 654 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1037
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (654)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (105)
Where the complaints came from
On 12 March 2018, the 1037 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 715 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 105 | 10.1% |
| Florida | 74 | 7.1% |
| Texas | 61 | 5.9% |
| New York | 55 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 42 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 41 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.6% |
| Missouri | 33 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 499 | 48.1% |
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 816 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 816 | 78.7% |
| TV | 116 | 11.2% |
| Internet | 96 | 9.3% |
| Radio | 7 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
816 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 654 | 80.1% |
| Billing | 78 | 9.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 2.3% |
| Equipment | 19 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
116 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 47.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 21 | 18.1% |
| Availability | 13 | 11.2% |
| Indecency | 9 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Loud Commercials were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 24.0% |
| Speed | 22 | 22.9% |
| Availability | 21 | 21.9% |
| Interference | 12 | 12.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
Unwanted calls
A total of 654 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 63.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (801) 345-8901 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (315) 307-8218 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (662) 546-1420 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (724) 268-4057 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (917) 933-8644 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (202) 664-8621 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (301) 641-5549 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (302) 316-9259 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (315) 888-0405 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (347) 307-7448 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (801) 345-8901 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.