FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 July 2018

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1233 consumer complaints on 13 July 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1229 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 198 complaints. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 876 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1233
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (876)
Most reported state/territory
California (198)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 1233 complaints were recorded on 13 July 2018, with reports originating from 781 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 198 16.1%
Texas 91 7.4%
Florida 77 6.2%
New York 67 5.4%
Ohio 49 4.0%
Michigan 47 3.8%
North Carolina 47 3.8%
Arizona 45 3.6%
Illinois 45 3.6%
Pennsylvania 42 3.4%
Other states and territories 525 42.6%

Location highlight

California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 114 different cities.

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1033 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1033 83.8%
Internet 98 7.9%
TV 82 6.7%
Radio 18 1.5%
Emergency 2 0.2%

Phone complaints

1033 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 876 84.8%
Billing 50 4.8%
Availability (including rural call completion) 35 3.4%
Equipment 26 2.5%
Privacy 12 1.2%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 11 1.1%
Interference (including signal jammers) 8 0.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 6 0.6%
Junk Faxes 6 0.6%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 2 0.2%
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.

Internet complaints

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

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 33 33.7%
Speed 24 24.5%
Availability 23 23.5%
Privacy 8 8.2%
Interference 7 7.1%
Equipment 3 3.1%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.

TV complaints

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

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 47 57.3%
Availability 17 20.7%
Equipment 6 7.3%
Loud Commercials 6 7.3%
Indecency 4 4.9%
Interference 2 2.4%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Unwanted calls

A total of 876 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 71% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.

Most reported caller ID numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(614) 927-0427 12 1.4%
(713) 936-9851 9 1.0%
(315) 232-8011 7 0.8%
(614) 927-1814 6 0.7%
(516) 739-8540 3 0.3%
(518) 329-9667 3 0.3%
(713) 429-1602 3 0.3%
(716) 953-3190 3 0.3%
(765) 295-5833 3 0.3%
(800) 945-2000 3 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(713) 936-9851 13 1.5%
(315) 232-8011 10 1.1%
(614) 927-0427 9 1.0%
(413) 232-1524 4 0.5%
(518) 329-9667 4 0.5%
(614) 927-1814 3 0.3%
(716) 953-3190 3 0.3%
(765) 295-5833 3 0.3%
(800) 262-3829 3 0.3%
(800) 945-2000 3 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
  • (713) 936-9851 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (614) 927-0427 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 13 July 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.