FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 March 2018
Introduction
On Thursday, 15 March 2018, 1290 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1246 complaints recorded 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 959 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1290
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (959)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (158)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1290 complaints were recorded on 15 March 2018, with reports originating from 830 cities in 52 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 158 | 12.2% |
| Texas | 111 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 93 | 7.2% |
| New York | 69 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 60 | 4.7% |
| North Carolina | 51 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 41 | 3.2% |
| Colorado | 40 | 3.1% |
| Ohio | 37 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 581 | 45.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1128 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1128 | 87.4% |
| TV | 74 | 5.7% |
| Internet | 63 | 4.9% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1128 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 87.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 959 | 85.0% |
| Billing | 61 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 26 | 2.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.2% |
| Equipment | 18 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 14 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Privacy and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 52.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 9.5% |
| Indecency | 7 | 9.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 9.5% |
| Availability | 6 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 5.4% |
Billing and Equipment accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
63 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 30.2% |
| Speed | 19 | 30.2% |
| Availability | 11 | 17.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 11.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.2% |
Billing and Speed accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 959 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 74.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 660-2727 | 11 | 1.1% |
| (917) 387-3018 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (407) 627-1213 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (267) 758-0843 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (203) 286-0974 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (571) 281-2342 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (651) 762-3400 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (662) 546-1420 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (727) 394-4166 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (800) 441-0377 | 3 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 660-2727 | 18 | 1.9% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (917) 387-3018 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (202) 838-1596 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (607) 542-4641 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (817) 510-7950 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (833) 354-7492 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (207) 809-8258 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (401) 534-5318 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (407) 627-1213 | 3 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (855) 660-2727 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (855) 660-2727 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.