FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 July 2018

Introduction

On 24 July 2018, 1355 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 1126 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 950 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1355
States & territories reporting
52
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (950)
Most reported state/territory
California (187)

Where the complaints came from

The 1355 complaints recorded on 24 July 2018 were submitted from 847 cities across 52 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 187 13.8%
Florida 107 7.9%
Texas 106 7.8%
New York 76 5.6%
Pennsylvania 62 4.6%
Ohio 58 4.3%
Virginia 55 4.1%
Washington 43 3.2%
Maryland 39 2.9%
Minnesota 39 2.9%
Other states and territories 578 42.7%

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 1137 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1137 83.9%
Internet 102 7.5%
TV 98 7.2%
Radio 12 0.9%
Emergency 5 0.4%
Accessibility 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

1137 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 950 83.6%
Billing 79 6.9%
Availability (including rural call completion) 25 2.2%
Junk Faxes 21 1.8%
Equipment 20 1.8%
Privacy 14 1.2%
Interference (including signal jammers) 12 1.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 10 0.9%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 4 0.4%
Rural Call Completion 1 0.1%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 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 Junk Faxes among the most common.

Internet complaints

102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 30 29.4%
Availability 24 23.5%
Speed 17 16.7%
Interference 16 15.7%
Equipment 10 9.8%
Privacy 5 4.9%

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

TV complaints

98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 45 45.9%
Availability 25 25.5%
Equipment 11 11.2%
Indecency 6 6.1%
Loud Commercials 5 5.1%
Interference 3 3.1%
Privacy 3 3.1%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Unwanted calls

950 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 70.1% 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
(740) 870-0134 7 0.7%
(716) 442-3765 4 0.4%
(516) 303-8250 3 0.3%
(516) 303-8253 3 0.3%
(740) 299-8042 3 0.3%
(800) 945-2000 3 0.3%
(970) 289-4986 3 0.3%
(201) 228-4901 2 0.2%
(202) 202-2002 2 0.2%
(210) 966-8628 2 0.2%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(740) 870-0134 7 0.7%
(555) 555-5555 4 0.4%
(210) 966-8628 3 0.3%
(315) 232-8380 3 0.3%
(516) 303-8263 3 0.3%
(703) 656-8783 3 0.3%
(716) 442-3765 3 0.3%
(970) 289-4980 3 0.3%
(970) 289-4982 3 0.3%
(202) 900-1270 2 0.2%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
  • (740) 870-0134 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (740) 870-0134 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 24 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.