FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 July 2018
Introduction
On 17 July 2018, 1385 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1280 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 1010 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1385
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1010)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (167)
Where the complaints came from
Across 867 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1385 complaints were recorded on 17 July 2018. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 167 | 12.1% |
| Texas | 111 | 8.0% |
| Florida | 103 | 7.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 67 | 4.8% |
| New York | 60 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 56 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 51 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 49 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 44 | 3.2% |
| Arizona | 41 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 634 | 45.8% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 108 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1181 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1181 | 85.3% |
| Internet | 96 | 6.9% |
| TV | 87 | 6.3% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1181 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 85.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1010 | 85.5% |
| Billing | 54 | 4.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 38 | 3.2% |
| Equipment | 23 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail 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
96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 25.0% |
| Speed | 24 | 25.0% |
| Availability | 23 | 24.0% |
| Interference | 12 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 54.0% |
| Availability | 18 | 20.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.0% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 1010 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 72.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (443) 233-6509 | 11 | 1.1% |
| (725) 223-1092 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (740) 870-0134 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (877) 211-0329 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (203) 601-7854 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (443) 249-7005 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (518) 882-3749 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (614) 927-0428 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (740) 299-8042 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (786) 374-8257 | 3 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (443) 233-6509 | 10 | 1.0% |
| (740) 870-0134 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (877) 211-0329 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (914) 410-8112 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (614) 927-0428 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (725) 223-1092 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 996-4992 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (203) 772-8804 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (240) 442-8672 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (302) 202-5575 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (443) 233-6509 stood out as both the most frequently reported business contact number and 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.