FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 May 2018

Introduction

A total of 1436 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 11 May 2018, this was higher than the 1435 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 1125 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1436
States & territories reporting
53
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (1125)
Most reported state/territory
California (208)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 1436 complaints were recorded on 11 May 2018, with reports originating from 919 cities in 53 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 208 14.5%
Florida 105 7.3%
Texas 92 6.4%
New York 80 5.6%
Pennsylvania 77 5.4%
Arizona 54 3.8%
Illinois 54 3.8%
Washington 53 3.7%
Ohio 45 3.1%
Virginia 42 2.9%
Other states and territories 626 43.6%

Location highlight

California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 119 different cities.

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1274 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1274 88.7%
TV 75 5.2%
Internet 71 4.9%
Radio 13 0.9%
Accessibility 2 0.1%
Emergency 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

1274 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 88.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 1125 88.3%
Billing 74 5.8%
Availability (including rural call completion) 18 1.4%
Equipment 16 1.3%
Privacy 15 1.2%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 12 0.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 8 0.6%
Junk Faxes 4 0.3%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 2 0.2%

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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

TV complaints

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

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 38 50.7%
Availability 18 24.0%
Indecency 10 13.3%
Equipment 3 4.0%
Loud Commercials 3 4.0%
Interference 2 2.7%
Privacy 1 1.3%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Internet complaints

71 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 23 32.4%
Speed 16 22.5%
Availability 11 15.5%
Interference 10 14.1%
Equipment 5 7.0%
Privacy 4 5.6%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 2.8%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.

Unwanted calls

A total of 1125 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 78.3% 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
(708) 270-0644 32 2.8%
(727) 205-0332 22 2.0%
(202) 335-4602 5 0.4%
(732) 230-4141 5 0.4%
(914) 363-5602 5 0.4%
(347) 354-0153 4 0.4%
(415) 842-9158 4 0.4%
(516) 739-8540 4 0.4%
(253) 300-0672 3 0.3%
(708) 646-2412 3 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(708) 270-0644 24 2.1%
(727) 205-0332 18 1.6%
(914) 363-5602 5 0.4%
(415) 842-9158 4 0.4%
(585) 861-1175 3 0.3%
(716) 371-8752 3 0.3%
(732) 230-4141 3 0.3%
(818) 302-6411 3 0.3%
(925) 244-1845 3 0.3%
(202) 335-4602 2 0.2%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
  • (708) 270-0644 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (708) 270-0644 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 11 May 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.