FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 July 2018
Introduction
On 18 July 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1352 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1385 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 986 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1352
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (986)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (167)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 18 July 2018 show 1352 complaints originating from 866 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 12.4% |
| Texas | 99 | 7.3% |
| Florida | 98 | 7.2% |
| New York | 65 | 4.8% |
| New Jersey | 58 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 49 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 47 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 46 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 44 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 635 | 47.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1148 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1148 | 84.9% |
| Internet | 91 | 6.7% |
| TV | 90 | 6.7% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1148 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 986 | 85.9% |
| Billing | 65 | 5.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 18 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.5% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 35 | 38.5% |
| Billing | 21 | 23.1% |
| Speed | 16 | 17.6% |
| Equipment | 11 | 12.1% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.3% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 46.7% |
| Availability | 23 | 25.6% |
| Equipment | 11 | 12.2% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.3% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
986 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 72.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (202) 202-2002 | 14 | 1.4% |
| (240) 252-4685 | 13 | 1.3% |
| (201) 225-8495 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (614) 927-0428 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (559) 545-3497 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (914) 410-8111 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (323) 974-6311 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (443) 787-3798 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (516) 739-8540 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 3 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (240) 252-4685 | 11 | 1.1% |
| (806) 414-3163 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (614) 927-0428 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (914) 410-8111 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (201) 225-8495 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (443) 787-3798 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (559) 545-3497 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (712) 201-2384 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (855) 219-9978 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 470-3257 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (240) 252-4685 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (202) 202-2002 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.