FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 May 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1377 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 15 May 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1320 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 975 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1377
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (975)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (171)
Where the complaints came from
On 15 May 2018, the 1377 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 821 cities across 51 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 | 171 | 12.4% |
| Florida | 117 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 114 | 8.3% |
| New York | 78 | 5.7% |
| Illinois | 48 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 47 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 47 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 45 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 45 | 3.3% |
| Arizona | 43 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 617 | 44.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1157 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1157 | 84.0% |
| TV | 98 | 7.1% |
| Internet | 97 | 7.0% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.1% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1157 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 975 | 84.3% |
| Billing | 55 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 34 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 28 | 2.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 0.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
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
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 46.9% |
| Equipment | 17 | 17.3% |
| Availability | 16 | 16.3% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Equipment were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 29.9% |
| Speed | 26 | 26.8% |
| Availability | 20 | 20.6% |
| Equipment | 9 | 9.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
Unwanted calls
975 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) 860-3406 | 34 | 3.5% |
| (351) 277-2504 | 9 | 0.9% |
| (770) 926-9921 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (866) 328-0076 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (203) 299-2553 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (518) 636-6587 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (585) 633-1197 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (585) 633-2725 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (607) 441-9117 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (607) 542-3893 | 3 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (202) 860-3406 | 26 | 2.7% |
| (315) 308-7460 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (351) 277-2504 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (518) 772-0544 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (516) 462-9486 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (516) 499-3082 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (518) 636-6587 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (518) 636-7706 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (585) 633-2725 | 3 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (202) 860-3406 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (202) 860-3406 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.