FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 April 2018

Introduction

A total of 1217 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 27 April 2018, this was lower than the 1370 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 911 complaints recorded.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1217
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (911)
Most reported state/territory
California (166)

Where the complaints came from

The 1217 complaints recorded on 27 April 2018 originated from 801 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 166 13.6%
Florida 96 7.9%
New York 79 6.5%
Texas 71 5.8%
Ohio 50 4.1%
Pennsylvania 49 4.0%
Washington 48 3.9%
Virginia 44 3.6%
Illinois 37 3.0%
Georgia 35 2.9%
Other states and territories 539 44.3%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 4 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1060 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1060 87.1%
TV 77 6.3%
Internet 63 5.2%
Radio 17 1.4%

Phone complaints

1060 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 87.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 911 85.9%
Billing 67 6.3%
Equipment 21 2.0%
Availability (including rural call completion) 19 1.8%
Privacy 17 1.6%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 8 0.8%
Junk Faxes 5 0.5%
Interference (including signal jammers) 4 0.4%
Rural Call Completion 4 0.4%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).

TV complaints

77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 43 55.8%
Equipment 13 16.9%
Loud Commercials 8 10.4%
Availability 5 6.5%
Indecency 5 6.5%
Privacy 2 2.6%
Interference 1 1.3%

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

Internet complaints

63 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 30 47.6%
Speed 11 17.5%
Availability 7 11.1%
Equipment 6 9.5%
Interference 5 7.9%
Privacy 3 4.8%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.6%

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

Unwanted calls

A total of 911 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 74.9% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.

Most reported caller ID numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(773) 273-6136 18 2.0%
(980) 242-3698 9 1.0%
(301) 298-1634 4 0.4%
(646) 396-7418 4 0.4%
(844) 227-9814 4 0.4%
(206) 201-0434 3 0.3%
(408) 372-2195 3 0.3%
(423) 619-4674 3 0.3%
(908) 547-3800 3 0.3%
(937) 249-9089 3 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(773) 273-6136 23 2.5%
(980) 242-3698 9 1.0%
(555) 555-5555 8 0.9%
(347) 937-9951 3 0.3%
(408) 372-2195 3 0.3%
(410) 231-7116 3 0.3%
(423) 619-4674 3 0.3%
(607) 795-7213 3 0.3%
(844) 227-9814 3 0.3%
(206) 201-0434 2 0.2%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (773) 273-6136 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • (773) 273-6136 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 27 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.