FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 June 2018

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1475 consumer complaints on 28 June 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1361 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 1096 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1475
States & territories reporting
52
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (1096)
Most reported state/territory
California (195)

Where the complaints came from

Across 911 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1475 complaints were recorded on 28 June 2018. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Louisiana, where Baton rouge accounted for 39 of the 47 complaints recorded in the state.

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 195 13.2%
Texas 119 8.1%
Florida 102 6.9%
Pennsylvania 78 5.3%
New York 64 4.3%
Ohio 60 4.1%
Georgia 55 3.7%
New Jersey 55 3.7%
Louisiana 47 3.2%
Arizona 46 3.1%
Other states and territories 652 44.2%

Location highlights

  • Baton rouge accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Louisiana.
  • Complaints in California were reported across 118 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1276 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1276 86.5%
Internet 89 6.0%
TV 89 6.0%
Radio 13 0.9%
Accessibility 5 0.3%
Emergency 3 0.2%

Phone complaints

1276 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 86.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 1096 85.9%
Billing 57 4.5%
Availability (including rural call completion) 30 2.4%
Privacy 23 1.8%
Equipment 21 1.6%
Interference (including signal jammers) 19 1.5%
Junk Faxes 15 1.2%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 10 0.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 5 0.4%

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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy.

Internet complaints

89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 36 40.4%
Availability 17 19.1%
Equipment 13 14.6%
Speed 12 13.5%
Interference 9 10.1%
Privacy 2 2.2%

Billing represented the largest share of complaints recorded in this category, with lower volumes reported across the remaining issues.

TV complaints

89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 38 42.7%
Availability 19 21.3%
Equipment 13 14.6%
Indecency 12 13.5%
Interference 5 5.6%
Loud Commercials 2 2.2%

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

Unwanted calls

There were 1096 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 74.3% 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
(508) 271-1637 9 0.8%
(281) 204-0500 6 0.5%
(716) 254-2811 5 0.5%
(256) 327-8800 4 0.4%
(317) 552-9496 4 0.4%
(508) 433-7854 4 0.4%
(631) 440-6103 4 0.4%
(646) 355-4758 4 0.4%
(732) 374-3654 4 0.4%
(202) 860-3275 3 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(716) 254-2811 6 0.5%
(347) 896-6762 5 0.5%
(631) 410-4580 5 0.5%
(646) 355-4758 5 0.5%
(508) 271-1637 4 0.4%
(631) 440-6103 4 0.4%
(646) 350-7903 4 0.4%
(800) 614-0397 4 0.4%
(225) 788-4164 3 0.3%
(315) 308-6440 3 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
  • (716) 254-2811 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (508) 271-1637 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 28 June 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.