FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 May 2018
Introduction
On Friday, 25 May 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1125 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1238 complaints recorded the previous day. 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 840 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1125
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (840)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (135)
Where the complaints came from
The 1125 complaints recorded on 25 May 2018 were submitted from 725 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 135 | 12.0% |
| Florida | 99 | 8.8% |
| Texas | 81 | 7.2% |
| New York | 49 | 4.4% |
| Washington | 43 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 34 | 3.0% |
| Illinois | 30 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 537 | 47.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 970 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 970 | 86.2% |
| TV | 76 | 6.8% |
| Internet | 69 | 6.1% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
970 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 86.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 840 | 86.6% |
| Billing | 41 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 25 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 18 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 50.0% |
| Availability | 12 | 15.8% |
| Equipment | 12 | 15.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 5.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
69 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 34.8% |
| Availability | 18 | 26.1% |
| Speed | 11 | 15.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 7.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
840 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 74.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (724) 246-5598 | 10 | 1.2% |
| (412) 766-3940 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (516) 462-7271 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (323) 993-9889 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (518) 636-6841 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (585) 633-2432 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (714) 980-4446 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (973) 405-7654 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (973) 465-6018 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 345-1837 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (724) 246-5598 | 9 | 1.1% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (315) 381-1382 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (412) 766-3940 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (516) 462-7271 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (518) 636-6841 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (585) 479-7978 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (585) 633-0372 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (585) 633-2432 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (702) 983-1171 | 3 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (724) 246-5598 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (724) 246-5598 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.