FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 May 2018
Introduction
On 7 May 2018, 1279 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 274 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 858 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1279
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (858)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (178)
Where the complaints came from
On 7 May 2018, the 1279 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 803 cities across 53 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 178 | 13.9% |
| Florida | 98 | 7.7% |
| Texas | 98 | 7.7% |
| New York | 85 | 6.6% |
| Ohio | 62 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 45 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 42 | 3.3% |
| Arizona | 39 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 539 | 42.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1077 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1077 | 84.2% |
| Internet | 88 | 6.9% |
| TV | 72 | 5.6% |
| Radio | 37 | 2.9% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1077 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 858 | 79.7% |
| Billing | 82 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 38 | 3.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 24 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.4% |
| 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
88 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 39.8% |
| Availability | 14 | 15.9% |
| Speed | 12 | 13.6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.1% |
| Interference | 7 | 8.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 6.8% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 52.8% |
| Availability | 13 | 18.1% |
| Equipment | 9 | 12.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 8.3% |
| Indecency | 4 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
37 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 15 | 40.5% |
| Interference | 14 | 37.8% |
| Pirate Radio | 5 | 13.5% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 5.4% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.7% |
Indecency and Interference were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 858 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 67.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (541) 223-5761 | 15 | 1.7% |
| (708) 646-2412 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (718) 312-0897 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (234) 201-8460 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (347) 934-9029 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (443) 294-8011 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (855) 201-4562 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (855) 631-5827 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 241-1016 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (541) 223-5761 | 16 | 1.9% |
| (716) 442-3246 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (718) 312-0897 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (234) 201-8460 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (443) 294-8011 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (607) 595-0129 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (631) 604-9905 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (646) 395-0170 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (646) 897-6140 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (708) 646-2412 | 3 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (541) 223-5761 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (541) 223-5761 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.