FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 March 2018

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1226 consumer complaints on Monday, 26 March 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 271 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 814 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1226
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (814)
Most reported state/territory
California (135)

Where the complaints came from

The 1226 complaints recorded on 26 March 2018 were submitted from 788 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.

The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.

State/Territory Complaints
California 135 11.0%
Texas 116 9.5%
Florida 86 7.0%
Ohio 74 6.0%
Pennsylvania 62 5.1%
New York 59 4.8%
Georgia 49 4.0%
Virginia 43 3.5%
Illinois 41 3.3%
Michigan 32 2.6%
Other states and territories 528 43.1%

Location highlight

California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 82 different cities.

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 986 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 986 80.4%
TV 109 8.9%
Internet 101 8.2%
Radio 20 1.6%
Accessibility 10 0.8%

Phone complaints

986 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 814 82.6%
Billing 70 7.1%
Equipment 28 2.8%
Privacy 22 2.2%
Availability (including rural call completion) 17 1.7%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 13 1.3%
Junk Faxes 9 0.9%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 4 0.4%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 4 0.4%
Interference (including signal jammers) 3 0.3%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 0.2%

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, Equipment and Privacy among the most common.

TV complaints

109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 59 54.1%
Loud Commercials 19 17.4%
Indecency 10 9.2%
Availability 9 8.3%
Equipment 5 4.6%
Interference 5 4.6%
Privacy 2 1.8%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Internet complaints

101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 37 36.6%
Availability 22 21.8%
Speed 16 15.8%
Interference 9 8.9%
Privacy 9 8.9%
Equipment 7 6.9%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.0%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.

Unwanted calls

A total of 814 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 66.4% 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
(773) 273-6136 7 0.9%
(469) 816-1614 5 0.6%
(385) 409-5449 4 0.5%
(631) 604-0682 4 0.5%
(631) 604-0684 4 0.5%
(302) 316-9259 3 0.4%
(518) 772-0257 3 0.4%
(585) 633-3380 3 0.4%
(631) 604-9705 3 0.4%
(816) 448-9200 3 0.4%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(469) 816-1614 5 0.6%
(201) 380-6029 4 0.5%
(385) 409-5449 4 0.5%
(518) 772-2320 4 0.5%
(585) 633-3380 4 0.5%
(631) 604-0682 4 0.5%
(631) 604-0684 4 0.5%
(915) 245-4952 4 0.5%
(302) 316-9259 3 0.4%
(407) 627-1213 3 0.4%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (469) 816-1614 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (773) 273-6136 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 26 March 2018.

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.