FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 May 2018
Introduction
On Sunday, 13 May 2018, 286 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 430 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 41 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 140 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 286
- States & territories reporting
- 41
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (140)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (47)
Where the complaints came from
The 286 complaints recorded on 13 May 2018 originated from 218 cities across 41 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 | 47 | 16.4% |
| Texas | 27 | 9.4% |
| New York | 24 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 23 | 8.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 11 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 10 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 10 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 10 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 9 | 3.1% |
| Kentucky | 9 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 106 | 37.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 200 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 200 | 69.9% |
| TV | 38 | 13.3% |
| Internet | 35 | 12.2% |
| Emergency | 5 | 1.7% |
| Radio | 5 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.7% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
200 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 140 | 70.0% |
| Billing | 19 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 13 | 6.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 3.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 5 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 1.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.5% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill).
TV complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 15 | 39.5% |
| Availability | 9 | 23.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 15.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 5.3% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 13 | 37.1% |
| Availability | 9 | 25.7% |
| Billing | 8 | 22.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 8.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 5.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Speed and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.