FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 August 2018
Introduction
On Thursday, 9 August 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1299 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1244 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 903 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1299
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (903)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (159)
Where the complaints came from
The 1299 complaints recorded on 9 August 2018 originated from 820 cities across 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 159 | 12.2% |
| Texas | 97 | 7.5% |
| New York | 76 | 5.9% |
| Florida | 74 | 5.7% |
| Ohio | 56 | 4.3% |
| New Jersey | 50 | 3.8% |
| Connecticut | 48 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 46 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 46 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 45 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 595 | 45.8% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1066 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1066 | 82.1% |
| Internet | 118 | 9.1% |
| TV | 97 | 7.5% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1066 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 903 | 84.7% |
| Billing | 48 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided 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
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 28.0% |
| Availability | 32 | 27.1% |
| Speed | 23 | 19.5% |
| Privacy | 12 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 43.3% |
| Availability | 22 | 22.7% |
| Equipment | 9 | 9.3% |
| Indecency | 8 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 903 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 69.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (712) 243-5650 | 32 | 3.5% |
| (623) 537-1602 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (810) 414-0485 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (281) 670-1572 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (530) 204-1238 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (612) 254-1548 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (650) 304-0476 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (725) 223-1082 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (866) 875-8613 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 860-2630 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (712) 243-5650 | 27 | 3.0% |
| (866) 310-0457 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (281) 670-1572 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (530) 204-1238 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (650) 304-0476 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (725) 223-1082 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (810) 414-0485 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (866) 875-8613 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 844-7763 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (215) 891-6704 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (712) 243-5650 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (712) 243-5650 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.