FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 May 2018
Introduction
On 18 May 2018, 1311 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1318 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 960 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1311
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (960)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (158)
Where the complaints came from
The 1311 complaints recorded on 18 May 2018 originated from 850 cities across 52 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 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 | 158 | 12.1% |
| Florida | 106 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 89 | 6.8% |
| New York | 82 | 6.3% |
| Virginia | 61 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 58 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 53 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 48 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 41 | 3.1% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 573 | 43.7% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 93 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1109 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1109 | 84.6% |
| TV | 100 | 7.6% |
| Internet | 80 | 6.1% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 960 | 86.6% |
| Billing | 68 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 21 | 1.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 8 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 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
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 48.0% |
| Availability | 19 | 19.0% |
| Equipment | 18 | 18.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.0% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.0% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 22 | 27.5% |
| Speed | 20 | 25.0% |
| Billing | 18 | 22.5% |
| Equipment | 8 | 10.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 8.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Speed and Billing.
Unwanted calls
There were 960 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 73.2% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (218) 292-1022 | 27 | 2.8% |
| (339) 215-3157 | 9 | 0.9% |
| (888) 544-2715 | 9 | 0.9% |
| (201) 252-6546 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (262) 744-1727 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (615) 380-1290 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (202) 860-3406 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (240) 273-1064 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (424) 317-6212 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (585) 633-3346 | 3 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (218) 292-1022 | 25 | 2.6% |
| (888) 544-2715 | 9 | 0.9% |
| (339) 215-3157 | 8 | 0.8% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (201) 252-6546 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (615) 380-1290 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (585) 633-1198 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (585) 633-2418 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (585) 633-3346 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (209) 784-3090 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (218) 292-1022 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (218) 292-1022 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.