FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 August 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1341 consumer complaints on 1 August 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1382 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 999 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1341
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (999)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (151)
Where the complaints came from
The 1341 complaints recorded on 1 August 2018 originated from 841 cities across 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 151 | 11.3% |
| Texas | 129 | 9.6% |
| New York | 73 | 5.4% |
| Florida | 71 | 5.3% |
| New Jersey | 65 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 61 | 4.5% |
| Colorado | 47 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 47 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 46 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 603 | 45.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1143 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1143 | 85.2% |
| Internet | 95 | 7.1% |
| TV | 86 | 6.4% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.0% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.1% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1143 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 85.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 999 | 87.4% |
| Billing | 48 | 4.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 17 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 10 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 31.6% |
| Availability | 27 | 28.4% |
| Speed | 14 | 14.7% |
| Privacy | 12 | 12.6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 48.8% |
| Availability | 20 | 23.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 8.1% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 999 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 74.5% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (518) 835-8017 | 13 | 1.3% |
| (518) 835-8711 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (518) 835-8409 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (518) 835-8836 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (650) 304-0476 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (210) 405-5010 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (302) 202-5568 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (315) 232-8956 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (646) 682-0910 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (646) 682-0915 | 3 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (518) 835-8017 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.