FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 July 2018
Introduction
On Monday, 23 July 2018, 1126 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 295 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 most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 702 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1126
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (702)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (142)
Where the complaints came from
Across 743 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1126 complaints were recorded on 23 July 2018. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 | 142 | 12.6% |
| Texas | 115 | 10.2% |
| New York | 80 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 75 | 6.7% |
| Ohio | 53 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 45 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 3.1% |
| Maryland | 33 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 470 | 41.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 901 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 901 | 80.0% |
| TV | 108 | 9.6% |
| Internet | 101 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
901 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 702 | 77.9% |
| Billing | 77 | 8.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 44 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 30 | 3.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.7% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 48.1% |
| Availability | 25 | 23.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 13.9% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.5% |
| Indecency | 4 | 3.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 40.6% |
| Availability | 24 | 23.8% |
| Speed | 16 | 15.8% |
| Privacy | 8 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
702 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 62.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (407) 216-8434 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (888) 895-5641 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (281) 215-3106 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (315) 333-7524 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (402) 317-5121 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (516) 303-8256 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (516) 303-8264 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (785) 491-7019 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (315) 232-8380 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (407) 216-8434 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (516) 303-8250 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (281) 215-3106 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (315) 232-8380 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (315) 333-7524 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (402) 317-5121 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (516) 303-8256 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (516) 303-8264 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (518) 329-9667 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 202-5678 | 3 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (407) 216-8434 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (407) 216-8434 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.