FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 March 2018
Introduction
On 21 March 2018, 1220 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1261 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 879 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1220
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (879)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (138)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1220 complaints were recorded on 21 March 2018, with reports originating from 750 cities in 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Missouri, where Sullivan accounted for 30 of the 48 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 138 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 86 | 7.0% |
| Texas | 79 | 6.5% |
| New York | 72 | 5.9% |
| Ohio | 57 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 50 | 4.1% |
| Missouri | 48 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 46 | 3.8% |
| Colorado | 42 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 555 | 45.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Missouri were heavily concentrated in Sullivan, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1013 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1013 | 83.0% |
| TV | 112 | 9.2% |
| Internet | 75 | 6.1% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
1013 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 879 | 86.8% |
| Billing | 44 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 24 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 16 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Privacy and Equipment.
TV complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 36.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 36 | 32.1% |
| Availability | 10 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.9% |
| Indecency | 9 | 8.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
Billing and Loud Commercials accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 32.0% |
| Speed | 21 | 28.0% |
| Availability | 15 | 20.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 4.0% |
Billing and Speed accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
879 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 72% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 307-4533 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (615) 246-2872 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (407) 627-1213 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (877) 221-6515 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (302) 316-9259 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (303) 845-1248 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (518) 772-1198 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (703) 972-8840 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (214) 444-5482 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (321) 439-9548 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (470) 300-0460 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (615) 246-2872 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (833) 354-7499 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (315) 307-4533 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (585) 633-1080 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (646) 396-9038 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (855) 254-5111 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (866) 223-9498 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 474-7851 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (555) 555-5555 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
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.