FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 August 2018
Introduction
A total of 1234 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 2 August 2018, complaint volume fell from 1341 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 53 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 898 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1234
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (898)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (186)
Where the complaints came from
Across 801 cities in 53 states and territories, a total of 1234 complaints were recorded on 2 August 2018. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 186 | 15.1% |
| Texas | 105 | 8.5% |
| New York | 87 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 71 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 45 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 43 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 41 | 3.3% |
| Arizona | 39 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 530 | 42.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 115 different cities.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1049 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1049 | 85.0% |
| Internet | 93 | 7.5% |
| TV | 80 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1049 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 85.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 898 | 85.6% |
| Billing | 67 | 6.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.1% |
| Equipment | 17 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 9 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 26.9% |
| Availability | 20 | 21.5% |
| Speed | 19 | 20.4% |
| Interference | 11 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.8% |
| Privacy | 8 | 8.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 42.5% |
| Availability | 16 | 20.0% |
| Equipment | 11 | 13.8% |
| Indecency | 10 | 12.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 898 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 72.8% 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) 835-8916 | 14 | 1.6% |
| (562) 358-3574 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (646) 682-0916 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (202) 900-1783 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (518) 835-8836 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (646) 682-0911 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (717) 488-2145 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (862) 298-3532 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (206) 460-0920 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (304) 249-3407 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (518) 835-8916 | 13 | 1.4% |
| (315) 232-8956 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (562) 358-3574 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (201) 942-1980 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (315) 232-8961 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (336) 436-9730 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (518) 835-8409 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (518) 835-8836 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (646) 682-0912 | 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.
- (518) 835-8916 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (518) 835-8916 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.