FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 March 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1279 consumer complaints on Thursday, 22 March 2018 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1220 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 53 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 899 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1279
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (899)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (160)
Where the complaints came from
On 22 March 2018, the 1279 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 846 cities across 53 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 26 of the 39 complaints recorded in the state.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 160 | 12.5% |
| Florida | 127 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 94 | 7.3% |
| New York | 69 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 52 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 52 | 4.1% |
| Virginia | 41 | 3.2% |
| Missouri | 39 | 3.0% |
| Washington | 39 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 549 | 42.9% |
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 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1054 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1054 | 82.4% |
| TV | 114 | 8.9% |
| Internet | 89 | 7.0% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1054 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 899 | 85.3% |
| Billing | 61 | 5.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 1.9% |
| Equipment | 20 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 36.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 37 | 32.5% |
| Availability | 18 | 15.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.3% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.6% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 40.4% |
| Speed | 17 | 19.1% |
| Availability | 12 | 13.5% |
| Privacy | 12 | 13.5% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.2% |
Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
899 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 70.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (661) 552-0555 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (530) 710-0469 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (833) 354-7494 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (619) 628-9177 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (651) 762-3474 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (833) 354-7499 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (607) 595-0136 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (716) 371-9770 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (857) 256-8065 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (951) 286-6761 | 3 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 354-7494 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (833) 354-7499 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (951) 286-6761 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (530) 710-0469 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (619) 628-9177 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (651) 762-3474 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (716) 371-8682 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (716) 371-9770 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (747) 212-5914 | 3 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (833) 354-7494 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (661) 552-0555 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.