FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 May 2018

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1170 consumer complaints on Monday, 21 May 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 265 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 841 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1170
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (841)
Most reported state/territory
California (114)

Where the complaints came from

On 21 May 2018, the 1170 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 787 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.

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 114 9.7%
Florida 107 9.1%
Texas 107 9.1%
New York 62 5.3%
Illinois 52 4.4%
Ohio 45 3.8%
Georgia 40 3.4%
Pennsylvania 40 3.4%
Virginia 40 3.4%
Colorado 39 3.3%
Other states and territories 523 44.7%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 993 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 993 84.9%
TV 91 7.8%
Internet 75 6.4%
Radio 9 0.8%
Accessibility 1 0.1%
Emergency 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

993 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 841 84.7%
Billing 63 6.3%
Equipment 21 2.1%
Availability (including rural call completion) 18 1.8%
Privacy 16 1.6%
Junk Faxes 11 1.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 11 1.1%
Interference (including signal jammers) 7 0.7%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 4 0.4%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.1%

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. 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

91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 43 47.3%
Availability 14 15.4%
Equipment 12 13.2%
Loud Commercials 9 9.9%
Indecency 7 7.7%
Interference 3 3.3%
Privacy 3 3.3%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Internet complaints

75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 30 40.0%
Availability 21 28.0%
Speed 14 18.7%
Equipment 5 6.7%
Interference 4 5.3%
Privacy 1 1.3%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Unwanted calls

There were 841 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 71.9% 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
(505) 210-7610 17 2.0%
(518) 772-0017 4 0.5%
(718) 819-9874 4 0.5%
(800) 945-2000 4 0.5%
(201) 252-6546 3 0.4%
(425) 448-4490 3 0.4%
(607) 595-3962 3 0.4%
(609) 279-0110 3 0.4%
(646) 396-7392 3 0.4%
(703) 210-5376 3 0.4%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(505) 210-7610 15 1.8%
(718) 819-9874 7 0.8%
(518) 615-6694 4 0.5%
(518) 772-0017 4 0.5%
(800) 945-2000 4 0.5%
(425) 448-4490 3 0.4%
(555) 555-5555 3 0.4%
(607) 595-3962 3 0.4%
(609) 279-0110 3 0.4%
(646) 396-7392 3 0.4%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
  • (505) 210-7610 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • (505) 210-7610 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 21 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.