FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 July 2018
Introduction
On 21 July 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 446 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1207 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 47 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 277 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 446
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (277)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (91)
Where the complaints came from
The 446 complaints recorded on 21 July 2018 were submitted from 306 cities across 47 states and territories. Complaint activity was somewhat more concentrated than usual, with California accounting for the largest share of reports. While complaints were reported across multiple cities, no individual location accounted for a significant 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 | 91 | 20.4% |
| Texas | 49 | 11.0% |
| Florida | 20 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 18 | 4.0% |
| Maryland | 17 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 17 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 15 | 3.4% |
| North Carolina | 14 | 3.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | 3.1% |
| New York | 13 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 178 | 39.9% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 48 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 339 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 339 | 76.0% |
| Internet | 48 | 10.8% |
| TV | 45 | 10.1% |
| Radio | 13 | 2.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
339 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 277 | 81.7% |
| Billing | 21 | 6.2% |
| Equipment | 11 | 3.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 5 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.6% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 39.6% |
| Speed | 11 | 22.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 14.6% |
| Availability | 5 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 6.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Speed, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 42.2% |
| Indecency | 9 | 20.0% |
| Availability | 8 | 17.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 15.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 4.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
277 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 62.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (516) 739-8540 | 5 | 1.8% |
| (210) 714-3181 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (360) 203-1829 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (402) 317-5121 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (512) 337-8989 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (513) 973-1075 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (516) 303-8240 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (516) 303-8245 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (716) 442-3765 | 2 | 0.7% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (516) 739-8540 stood out as 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.