FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 May 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1420 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 2 May 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1278 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 1003 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1420
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1003)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (196)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 2 May 2018 show 1420 complaints originating from 891 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 196 | 13.8% |
| Florida | 120 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 120 | 8.5% |
| Illinois | 79 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 65 | 4.6% |
| Washington | 53 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 48 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 46 | 3.2% |
| New York | 46 | 3.2% |
| Arizona | 43 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 602 | 42.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1172 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1172 | 82.5% |
| Internet | 102 | 7.2% |
| TV | 100 | 7.0% |
| Radio | 41 | 2.9% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1172 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1003 | 85.6% |
| Billing | 66 | 5.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 2.2% |
| Equipment | 26 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 17 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 32.4% |
| Availability | 32 | 31.4% |
| Speed | 17 | 16.7% |
| Privacy | 7 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 52.0% |
| Availability | 28 | 28.0% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.0% |
| Indecency | 5 | 5.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
41 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 31 | 75.6% |
| Interference | 6 | 14.6% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 4.9% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.4% |
Indecency and Interference were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 1003 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 70.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (336) 436-9730 | 50 | 5.0% |
| (312) 858-3867 | 9 | 0.9% |
| (713) 417-1608 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (901) 646-3554 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (205) 378-0608 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (218) 483-7891 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (239) 317-1626 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (248) 210-9250 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (281) 509-9346 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (336) 436-9730 | 44 | 4.4% |
| (917) 460-4122 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (929) 800-4830 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (312) 858-3867 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (586) 224-8485 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (646) 434-7379 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (716) 513-8652 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (773) 273-6136 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (866) 328-0076 | 3 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (336) 436-9730 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (336) 436-9730 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.