FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 April 2018

Introduction

On Tuesday, 24 April 2018, 1382 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 1140 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 958 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1382
States & territories reporting
52
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (958)
Most reported state/territory
California (145)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 1382 complaints were recorded on 24 April 2018, with reports originating from 880 cities in 52 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.

State/Territory Complaints
California 145 10.5%
Florida 110 8.0%
Texas 106 7.7%
New York 70 5.1%
Ohio 66 4.8%
Pennsylvania 52 3.8%
Georgia 50 3.6%
Illinois 45 3.3%
New Jersey 45 3.3%
Arizona 43 3.1%
Other states and territories 641 46.4%

Location highlight

California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 91 different cities.

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1155 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1155 83.6%
TV 122 8.8%
Internet 84 6.1%
Radio 18 1.3%
Accessibility 1 0.1%
Emergency 1 0.1%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

1155 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 958 82.9%
Billing 76 6.6%
Availability (including rural call completion) 35 3.0%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 24 2.1%
Equipment 21 1.8%
Privacy 20 1.7%
Junk Faxes 13 1.1%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 4 0.3%
Interference (including signal jammers) 3 0.3%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).

TV complaints

122 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 56 45.9%
Availability 29 23.8%
Loud Commercials 14 11.5%
Equipment 11 9.0%
Indecency 4 3.3%
Interference 3 2.5%
Privacy 3 2.5%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 1.6%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Internet complaints

84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 29 34.5%
Billing 21 25.0%
Speed 16 19.0%
Equipment 6 7.1%
Interference 6 7.1%
Privacy 4 4.8%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 2.4%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.

Unwanted calls

There were 958 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 69.3% 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 25 2.6%
(202) 241-0905 4 0.4%
(520) 214-9851 4 0.4%
(631) 520-7760 4 0.4%
(778) 373-1800 3 0.3%
(800) 945-2000 3 0.3%
(843) 401-5249 3 0.3%
(914) 363-4413 3 0.3%
(201) 907-1327 2 0.2%
(202) 202-2222 2 0.2%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(980) 242-3698 25 2.6%
(210) 268-7968 5 0.5%
(202) 241-0905 4 0.4%
(520) 214-9851 4 0.4%
(555) 555-5555 4 0.4%
(646) 897-6140 3 0.3%
(843) 401-5249 3 0.3%
(855) 627-3699 3 0.3%
(914) 401-1635 3 0.3%
(209) 330-3457 2 0.2%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
  • (980) 242-3698 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • (980) 242-3698 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 24 April 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.