FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 May 2018

Introduction

A total of 1308 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, 22 May 2018, this was higher than the 1170 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 928 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1308
States & territories reporting
53
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (928)
Most reported state/territory
California (157)

Where the complaints came from

Reports recorded on 22 May 2018 show 1308 complaints originating from 833 cities across 53 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 157 12.0%
Texas 108 8.3%
Florida 98 7.5%
New York 70 5.4%
Pennsylvania 53 4.1%
Michigan 47 3.6%
Ohio 45 3.4%
Illinois 43 3.3%
Colorado 42 3.2%
Maryland 42 3.2%
Other states and territories 601 45.9%

Location highlight

Complaints in California were reported across 92 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1100 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1100 84.1%
Internet 103 7.9%
TV 87 6.7%
Radio 15 1.1%
Accessibility 2 0.2%
Emergency 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

1100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 928 84.4%
Billing 72 6.5%
Privacy 27 2.5%
Availability (including rural call completion) 26 2.4%
Equipment 16 1.5%
Junk Faxes 13 1.2%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 7 0.6%
Interference (including signal jammers) 6 0.5%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 4 0.4%
Rural Call Completion 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Privacy and Availability (including rural call completion).

Internet complaints

103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 44 42.7%
Availability 21 20.4%
Speed 13 12.6%
Equipment 11 10.7%
Interference 8 7.8%
Privacy 5 4.9%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.0%

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

TV complaints

87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 44 50.6%
Availability 19 21.8%
Equipment 10 11.5%
Loud Commercials 7 8.0%
Indecency 4 4.6%
Interference 2 2.3%

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

Unwanted calls

928 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 70.9% 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
(505) 210-7610 22 2.4%
(458) 203-3668 5 0.5%
(518) 636-6025 5 0.5%
(828) 759-5639 4 0.4%
(360) 209-0505 3 0.3%
(443) 261-0822 3 0.3%
(516) 495-6032 3 0.3%
(518) 615-6704 3 0.3%
(518) 636-7721 3 0.3%
(631) 485-9300 3 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(505) 210-7610 19 2.0%
(518) 636-6025 9 1.0%
(518) 615-6704 5 0.5%
(518) 636-7721 4 0.4%
(585) 633-1447 4 0.4%
(631) 485-9300 4 0.4%
(458) 203-3668 3 0.3%
(518) 615-6698 3 0.3%
(555) 555-5555 3 0.3%
(202) 506-8583 2 0.2%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (505) 210-7610 stood out as both the most frequently reported business contact number and the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 22 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.