FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 August 2018
Introduction
On Wednesday, 8 August 2018, 1244 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1270 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 847 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1244
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (847)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (160)
Where the complaints came from
The 1244 complaints recorded on 8 August 2018 originated from 816 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 160 | 12.9% |
| Texas | 101 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 79 | 6.4% |
| New York | 72 | 5.8% |
| Virginia | 57 | 4.6% |
| New Jersey | 51 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 48 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 35 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 549 | 44.1% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 92 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1000 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1000 | 80.4% |
| Internet | 116 | 9.3% |
| TV | 108 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
1000 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 847 | 84.7% |
| Billing | 45 | 4.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
116 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 28.4% |
| Availability | 26 | 22.4% |
| Equipment | 15 | 12.9% |
| Interference | 14 | 12.1% |
| Privacy | 14 | 12.1% |
| Speed | 14 | 12.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Equipment among the most common.
TV complaints
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 46.3% |
| Availability | 19 | 17.6% |
| Indecency | 13 | 12.0% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 847 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 68.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (712) 243-5622 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (712) 243-5637 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (712) 243-5647 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (740) 870-0134 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (806) 414-3163 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (845) 940-5001 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (855) 781-5679 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (725) 223-1082 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (866) 697-1462 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (224) 356-6145 | 2 | 0.2% |
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.
- Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
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.