FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 April 2018
Introduction
On Thursday, 19 April 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1453 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1374 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 1062 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1453
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1062)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (145)
Where the complaints came from
The 1453 complaints recorded on 19 April 2018 originated from 916 cities across 53 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. 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 | 145 | 10.0% |
| Florida | 133 | 9.2% |
| New York | 112 | 7.7% |
| Texas | 100 | 6.9% |
| Ohio | 78 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 61 | 4.2% |
| North Carolina | 58 | 4.0% |
| Michigan | 48 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 46 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 42 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 620 | 42.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1223 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1223 | 84.2% |
| TV | 103 | 7.1% |
| Internet | 101 | 7.0% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1223 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1062 | 86.8% |
| Billing | 57 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 23 | 1.9% |
| Equipment | 22 | 1.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 0.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Privacy and Equipment.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 51.5% |
| Availability | 15 | 14.6% |
| Equipment | 12 | 11.7% |
| Indecency | 8 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 5.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 28.7% |
| Availability | 23 | 22.8% |
| Speed | 18 | 17.8% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 8 | 7.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 4.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Unwanted calls
1062 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 73.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (940) 242-4514 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (703) 348-6954 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (980) 242-3698 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (516) 499-3084 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (786) 342-8224 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (805) 744-8519 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (914) 364-9975 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 335-1753 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (252) 877-6920 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (310) 296-5857 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (703) 348-6954 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (786) 342-8224 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (980) 242-3698 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (631) 701-1558 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (650) 731-1040 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (805) 744-8519 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (914) 364-9975 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (925) 322-5219 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (925) 658-4712 | 3 | 0.3% |
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.
- (940) 242-4514 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.