FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 April 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1218 consumer complaints on Friday, 20 April 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1453 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 872 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1218
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (872)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (148)
Where the complaints came from
The 1218 complaints recorded on 20 April 2018 were submitted from 792 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 148 | 12.2% |
| Florida | 92 | 7.6% |
| Texas | 89 | 7.3% |
| New York | 68 | 5.6% |
| Virginia | 58 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 55 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 546 | 44.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1023 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1023 | 84.0% |
| TV | 97 | 8.0% |
| Internet | 78 | 6.4% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 7 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
1023 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 872 | 85.2% |
| Billing | 33 | 3.2% |
| Equipment | 29 | 2.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 18 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 13 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 41.2% |
| Equipment | 15 | 15.5% |
| Availability | 14 | 14.4% |
| Indecency | 11 | 11.3% |
| Interference | 9 | 9.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
78 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 21 | 26.9% |
| Availability | 20 | 25.6% |
| Speed | 18 | 23.1% |
| Privacy | 11 | 14.1% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 3.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.6% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
There were 872 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 71.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (980) 242-3698 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (858) 224-5572 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (478) 216-0484 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (662) 546-1420 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (785) 542-0285 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (203) 307-0715 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (270) 737-1372 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (347) 937-9951 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (435) 572-7501 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (980) 242-3698 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (510) 982-0781 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (530) 826-4718 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (800) 531-5000 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (805) 744-1388 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (203) 307-0715 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (203) 689-8102 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (213) 807-8066 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (270) 737-1372 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (347) 937-9951 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (980) 242-3698 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (980) 242-3698 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.