FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 April 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1374 consumer complaints on 18 April 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1269 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 986 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1374
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (986)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (143)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 18 April 2018 show 1374 complaints originating from 865 cities across 52 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 143 | 10.4% |
| New York | 105 | 7.6% |
| Florida | 100 | 7.3% |
| Texas | 86 | 6.3% |
| Illinois | 54 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 54 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 53 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 3.9% |
| Washington | 50 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 48 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 624 | 45.4% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 91 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1162 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1162 | 84.6% |
| Internet | 95 | 6.9% |
| TV | 84 | 6.1% |
| Radio | 28 | 2.0% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1162 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 986 | 84.9% |
| Billing | 54 | 4.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 31 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 19 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 29.5% |
| Availability | 22 | 23.2% |
| Speed | 19 | 20.0% |
| Interference | 12 | 12.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 6 | 6.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 39.3% |
| Availability | 19 | 22.6% |
| Equipment | 11 | 13.1% |
| Indecency | 11 | 13.1% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 2.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 986 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 71.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (703) 348-6954 | 8 | 0.8% |
| (760) 897-4929 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (940) 242-4514 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (407) 374-8639 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (513) 696-1920 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (786) 342-8224 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (805) 755-5609 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (203) 409-5864 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (212) 565-0001 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (218) 517-5003 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (703) 348-6954 | 14 | 1.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (760) 897-4929 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (940) 242-4514 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (530) 845-5289 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (716) 304-9390 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (724) 765-8765 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (760) 897-4931 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (786) 342-8224 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (805) 755-5609 | 3 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (703) 348-6954 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (703) 348-6954 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.