FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 March 2018
Introduction
A total of 378 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 17 March 2018, complaint volume fell from 1178 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 43 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 207 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 378
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (207)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (42)
Where the complaints came from
Across 298 cities in 43 states and territories, a total of 378 complaints were recorded on 17 March 2018. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 42 | 11.1% |
| Texas | 34 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 24 | 6.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 5.6% |
| Georgia | 19 | 5.0% |
| Illinois | 16 | 4.2% |
| New York | 16 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 16 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 14 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 12 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 164 | 43.4% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 270 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 270 | 71.4% |
| Internet | 48 | 12.7% |
| TV | 45 | 11.9% |
| Radio | 10 | 2.6% |
| Emergency | 4 | 1.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
270 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 207 | 76.7% |
| Billing | 24 | 8.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 3.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.4% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 17 | 35.4% |
| Speed | 12 | 25.0% |
| Availability | 8 | 16.7% |
| Interference | 6 | 12.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 2.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Speed, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 17 | 37.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 22.2% |
| Availability | 8 | 17.8% |
| Indecency | 4 | 8.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 2.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
207 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 54.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (954) 516-6813 | 5 | 2.4% |
| (800) 563-9620 | 3 | 1.4% |
| (202) 545-6521 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (212) 226-3126 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (330) 807-3249 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (727) 399-7449 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (805) 929-2211 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (854) 999-4407 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (855) 660-2727 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (202) 444-6131 | 1 | 0.5% |
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.
- (954) 516-6813 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.