FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 July 2018
Introduction
On Wednesday, 25 July 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1389 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1355 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 983 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1389
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (983)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (174)
Where the complaints came from
Across 852 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1389 complaints were recorded on 25 July 2018. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 174 | 12.5% |
| Texas | 138 | 9.9% |
| New York | 103 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 79 | 5.7% |
| New Jersey | 52 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 49 | 3.5% |
| Minnesota | 48 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 46 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 608 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1178 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1178 | 84.8% |
| Internet | 97 | 7.0% |
| TV | 86 | 6.2% |
| Radio | 24 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1178 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 983 | 83.4% |
| Billing | 76 | 6.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 43 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 17 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 33.0% |
| Availability | 21 | 21.6% |
| Speed | 14 | 14.4% |
| Interference | 13 | 13.4% |
| Privacy | 9 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 46.5% |
| Availability | 20 | 23.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 11.6% |
| Equipment | 9 | 10.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 983 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 70.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (850) 795-4009 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (765) 221-3287 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (806) 414-3163 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (270) 804-4116 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (315) 992-1903 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (702) 879-2180 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (740) 870-0134 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (741) 998-6712 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (833) 454-2632 | 3 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (765) 221-3287 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (806) 414-3163 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (850) 795-4009 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (315) 992-1903 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (347) 609-5265 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (702) 879-2180 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (740) 870-0134 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (833) 454-2632 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (850) 795-4037 | 3 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
- (850) 795-4009 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.