FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 March 2018
Introduction
On Tuesday, 20 March 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1261 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1125 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 877 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1261
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (877)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (142)
Where the complaints came from
The 1261 complaints recorded on 20 March 2018 were submitted from 840 cities across 50 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 | 142 | 11.3% |
| Texas | 93 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 89 | 7.1% |
| New York | 72 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 57 | 4.5% |
| Tennessee | 44 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 41 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 39 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 602 | 47.7% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 89 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1064 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1064 | 84.4% |
| TV | 93 | 7.4% |
| Internet | 81 | 6.4% |
| Radio | 21 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
1064 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 877 | 82.4% |
| Billing | 74 | 7.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 26 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 26 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided 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
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 49.5% |
| Availability | 20 | 21.5% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.8% |
| Indecency | 7 | 7.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.2% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
81 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 33.3% |
| Speed | 18 | 22.2% |
| Availability | 17 | 21.0% |
| Interference | 9 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
Unwanted calls
877 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 69.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (407) 627-1213 | 11 | 1.3% |
| (717) 473-8734 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (631) 604-0420 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (662) 546-1420 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (833) 354-7493 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (212) 226-3126 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (248) 971-0922 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (267) 323-4184 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (318) 707-8570 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (407) 627-1213 | 8 | 0.9% |
| (631) 604-0420 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (585) 633-2685 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (662) 546-1420 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (855) 254-5111 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (631) 503-7537 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (877) 981-2152 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (915) 245-4952 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (940) 304-0003 | 3 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (407) 627-1213 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (407) 627-1213 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.