FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 August 2018

Introduction

On 7 August 2018, 1270 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 1089 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 837 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1270
States & territories reporting
53
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (837)
Most reported state/territory
California (198)

Where the complaints came from

The 1270 complaints recorded on 7 August 2018 originated from 834 cities across 53 states and territories. 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.

State/Territory Complaints
California 198 15.6%
Texas 130 10.2%
Florida 77 6.1%
New York 76 6.0%
Ohio 61 4.8%
New Jersey 52 4.1%
Pennsylvania 46 3.6%
North Carolina 38 3.0%
Illinois 33 2.6%
Virginia 33 2.6%
Other states and territories 518 40.8%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1025 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1025 80.7%
Internet 154 12.1%
TV 76 6.0%
Radio 11 0.9%
Emergency 3 0.2%
Accessibility 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

1025 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 837 81.7%
Billing 70 6.8%
Equipment 28 2.7%
Availability (including rural call completion) 27 2.6%
Junk Faxes 18 1.8%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 16 1.6%
Privacy 14 1.4%
Interference (including signal jammers) 8 0.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 5 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.

Internet complaints

154 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 48 31.2%
Availability 34 22.1%
Speed 34 22.1%
Equipment 15 9.7%
Privacy 15 9.7%
Interference 8 5.2%

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

TV complaints

76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 34 44.7%
Availability 19 25.0%
Loud Commercials 7 9.2%
Equipment 6 7.9%
Indecency 6 7.9%
Interference 3 3.9%
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

837 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 65.9% 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
(623) 537-1607 8 1.0%
(740) 870-0134 8 1.0%
(650) 304-0476 3 0.4%
(806) 414-3163 3 0.4%
(844) 735-9449 3 0.4%
(866) 875-8613 3 0.4%
(202) 827-2184 2 0.2%
(270) 804-4116 2 0.2%
(281) 670-1572 2 0.2%
(310) 356-6947 2 0.2%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(740) 870-0134 9 1.1%
(623) 537-1607 8 1.0%
(206) 460-0187 4 0.5%
(650) 304-0476 3 0.4%
(651) 273-0325 3 0.4%
(806) 414-3163 3 0.4%
(866) 875-8613 3 0.4%
(270) 804-4116 2 0.2%
(281) 670-1572 2 0.2%
(281) 968-0853 2 0.2%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (740) 870-0134 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 7 August 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.