FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 May 2018
Introduction
On 19 May 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 443 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1311 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 45 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 69 complaints. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 264 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 443
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (264)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (69)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 443 complaints were recorded on 19 May 2018, with reports originating from 304 cities in 45 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 69 | 15.6% |
| Florida | 34 | 7.7% |
| Illinois | 28 | 6.3% |
| New Jersey | 22 | 5.0% |
| New York | 21 | 4.7% |
| Texas | 21 | 4.7% |
| North Carolina | 20 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 3.8% |
| Arizona | 15 | 3.4% |
| Massachusetts | 15 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 181 | 40.9% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 320 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 320 | 72.2% |
| TV | 53 | 12.0% |
| Internet | 45 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 24 | 5.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
320 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 264 | 82.5% |
| Billing | 19 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 14 | 4.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.3% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
53 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 21 | 39.6% |
| Availability | 10 | 18.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 18.9% |
| Indecency | 5 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials among the most common.
Internet complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 22 | 48.9% |
| Speed | 9 | 20.0% |
| Availability | 5 | 11.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.4% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 4.4% |
Billing and Speed were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
264 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 59.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (919) 813-6046 | 6 | 2.3% |
| (866) 610-2720 | 4 | 1.5% |
| (973) 273-2148 | 3 | 1.1% |
| (973) 803-4495 | 3 | 1.1% |
| (201) 252-6546 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (315) 308-7470 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (407) 273-3354 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (516) 627-0200 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (559) 810-6721 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (562) 451-0953 | 2 | 0.8% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (919) 813-6046 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.