FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 May 2018

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1320 consumer complaints on 14 May 2018 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 286 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 888 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1320
States & territories reporting
49
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (888)
Most reported state/territory
California (169)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 1320 complaints were recorded on 14 May 2018, with reports originating from 831 cities in 49 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.

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 169 12.8%
Florida 127 9.6%
Texas 106 8.0%
New York 67 5.1%
Ohio 60 4.5%
Illinois 55 4.2%
Pennsylvania 49 3.7%
Virginia 46 3.5%
Georgia 45 3.4%
Michigan 45 3.4%
Other states and territories 548 41.5%

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 1090 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1090 82.6%
TV 113 8.6%
Internet 87 6.6%
Radio 27 2.0%
Accessibility 2 0.2%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

1090 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 888 81.5%
Billing 86 7.9%
Privacy 30 2.8%
Equipment 28 2.6%
Availability (including rural call completion) 25 2.3%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 10 0.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 8 0.7%
Junk Faxes 7 0.6%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 6 0.6%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.1%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 1 0.1%

Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Privacy and Equipment among the most common.

TV complaints

113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 49 43.4%
Availability 19 16.8%
Equipment 15 13.3%
Loud Commercials 12 10.6%
Indecency 10 8.8%
Interference 5 4.4%
Privacy 2 1.8%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.9%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Internet complaints

87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Speed 28 32.2%
Billing 27 31.0%
Availability 20 23.0%
Interference 6 6.9%
Privacy 4 4.6%
Equipment 1 1.1%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.1%

Speed and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Unwanted calls

A total of 888 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 67.3% 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
(351) 277-2504 34 3.8%
(510) 399-4442 5 0.6%
(202) 800-9763 3 0.3%
(315) 308-7460 3 0.3%
(413) 344-0466 3 0.3%
(607) 542-4651 3 0.3%
(631) 460-6208 3 0.3%
(708) 270-0644 3 0.3%
(202) 280-7108 2 0.2%
(202) 335-4602 2 0.2%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(351) 277-2504 21 2.4%
(631) 460-6208 4 0.5%
(202) 280-7108 3 0.3%
(256) 459-6758 3 0.3%
(561) 763-8566 3 0.3%
(252) 677-5197 2 0.2%
(315) 308-4096 2 0.2%
(315) 308-7460 2 0.2%
(339) 333-0223 2 0.2%
(424) 317-6212 2 0.2%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
  • (351) 277-2504 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • (351) 277-2504 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 14 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.