FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 May 2018
Introduction
On 31 May 2018, 1460 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 1332 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 904 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1460
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (904)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (168)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 31 May 2018 show 1460 complaints originating from 967 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 168 | 11.5% |
| Florida | 106 | 7.3% |
| Texas | 93 | 6.4% |
| New York | 82 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 69 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 57 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 56 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 47 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 46 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 685 | 46.9% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1102 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1102 | 75.5% |
| TV | 236 | 16.2% |
| Internet | 105 | 7.2% |
| Radio | 13 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 904 | 82.0% |
| Billing | 83 | 7.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
TV complaints
236 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 130 | 55.1% |
| Billing | 56 | 23.7% |
| Availability | 23 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 12 | 5.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 4.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 1.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.4% |
Indecency and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
105 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 29.5% |
| Availability | 30 | 28.6% |
| Speed | 13 | 12.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 10.5% |
| Interference | 10 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 2.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
904 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 61.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (609) 236-7854 | 13 | 1.4% |
| (347) 427-8513 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (347) 384-3392 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (214) 873-9819 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (575) 209-2875 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (714) 828-8676 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (716) 371-8534 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (561) 763-8566 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (575) 209-2876 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (631) 506-7065 | 3 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (347) 427-8513 | 11 | 1.2% |
| (609) 236-7854 | 8 | 0.9% |
| (347) 384-3392 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (575) 209-2875 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (561) 763-8566 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (716) 371-8534 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (716) 616-9320 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (312) 312-7230 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (347) 338-5820 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (585) 633-0278 | 3 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (347) 427-8513 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (609) 236-7854 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.