FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 May 2018
Introduction
A total of 1316 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 9 May 2018, this represented an increase from the 1283 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 932 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1316
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (932)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (196)
Where the complaints came from
The 1316 complaints recorded on 9 May 2018 were submitted from 823 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 196 | 14.9% |
| Florida | 107 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 94 | 7.1% |
| New York | 74 | 5.6% |
| Georgia | 50 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 48 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 45 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 43 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 42 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 569 | 43.2% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1118 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1118 | 85.0% |
| TV | 92 | 7.0% |
| Internet | 88 | 6.7% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 85.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 932 | 83.4% |
| Billing | 77 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 18 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 41.3% |
| Availability | 18 | 19.6% |
| Equipment | 17 | 18.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 9.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
88 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 37.5% |
| Availability | 22 | 25.0% |
| Interference | 11 | 12.5% |
| Speed | 11 | 12.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
932 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 70.8% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (202) 335-4602 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (702) 827-4731 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (347) 430-4707 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (518) 738-3520 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (607) 595-1449 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (646) 897-6140 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (708) 646-2412 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (929) 800-2771 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 559-9762 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (301) 287-4224 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (202) 335-4602 | 13 | 1.4% |
| (708) 646-2412 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (914) 363-4427 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (929) 800-2771 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (347) 430-4707 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (518) 738-3520 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (646) 368-7598 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (646) 897-6140 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (770) 688-6865 | 3 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (202) 335-4602 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (202) 335-4602 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.