FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 April 2018
Introduction
On Friday, 6 April 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1165 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1243 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 815 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1165
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (815)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1165 complaints were recorded on 6 April 2018, with reports originating from 794 cities in 49 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 129 | 11.1% |
| Texas | 98 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 74 | 6.4% |
| New York | 73 | 6.3% |
| Virginia | 48 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 44 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 40 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 37 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 536 | 46.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 948 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 948 | 81.4% |
| Internet | 102 | 8.8% |
| TV | 90 | 7.7% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
948 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 815 | 86.0% |
| Billing | 64 | 6.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 1.6% |
| Equipment | 14 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 29.4% |
| Speed | 26 | 25.5% |
| Availability | 16 | 15.7% |
| Privacy | 16 | 15.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 3.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 45.6% |
| Availability | 16 | 17.8% |
| Indecency | 11 | 12.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.6% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 815 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 70% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (773) 273-6136 | 22 | 2.7% |
| (607) 595-0143 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (910) 427-4328 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (443) 360-0137 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (443) 360-0965 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 745-3271 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (202) 851-6849 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (206) 207-7312 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (315) 308-5365 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (315) 465-0005 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (773) 273-6136 | 14 | 1.7% |
| (607) 595-0143 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (315) 308-5365 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (443) 360-0965 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (718) 734-1763 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 745-3271 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (262) 955-2313 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (305) 818-5223 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (773) 273-6136 stood out as both the most frequently reported business contact number and the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.