FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 April 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1156 consumer complaints on Monday, 30 April 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 342 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 801 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1156
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (801)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (160)
Where the complaints came from
Across 757 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1156 complaints were recorded on 30 April 2018. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Kentucky, where Frankfort accounted for 25 of the 40 complaints recorded.
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 | 160 | 13.8% |
| Texas | 95 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 86 | 7.4% |
| New York | 72 | 6.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 42 | 3.6% |
| Kentucky | 40 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 40 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 34 | 2.9% |
| Tennessee | 32 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 504 | 43.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Kentucky were heavily concentrated in Frankfort, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 971 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 971 | 84.0% |
| Internet | 86 | 7.4% |
| TV | 83 | 7.2% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
971 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 801 | 82.5% |
| Billing | 79 | 8.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 18 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 17 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 31.4% |
| Availability | 21 | 24.4% |
| Speed | 13 | 15.1% |
| Interference | 9 | 10.5% |
| Privacy | 9 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 53.0% |
| Indecency | 16 | 19.3% |
| Availability | 11 | 13.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.6% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 801 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (773) 273-6136 | 16 | 2.0% |
| (845) 450-2153 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (458) 209-2126 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (202) 495-2266 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (206) 201-0434 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (315) 307-0990 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (516) 345-8544 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (518) 299-9295 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (646) 378-2805 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (762) 546-8541 | 3 | 0.4% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (773) 273-6136 | 17 | 2.1% |
| (845) 450-2153 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (206) 201-0434 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (315) 307-0990 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (458) 209-2126 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (516) 345-8544 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (585) 861-3683 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (646) 378-2805 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (919) 525-3088 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (203) 409-8737 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (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.
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.