FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 August 2018
Introduction
On Monday, 13 August 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1155 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 359 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 718 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1155
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (718)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
On 13 August 2018, the 1155 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 760 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 | 128 | 11.1% |
| Texas | 94 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 74 | 6.4% |
| New York | 74 | 6.4% |
| New Jersey | 60 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 57 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 40 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 35 | 3.0% |
| Illinois | 34 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 512 | 44.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 890 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 890 | 77.1% |
| TV | 143 | 12.4% |
| Internet | 105 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
890 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 718 | 80.7% |
| Billing | 70 | 7.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 3.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Junk Faxes.
TV complaints
143 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 32.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 43 | 30.1% |
| Availability | 26 | 18.2% |
| Equipment | 13 | 9.1% |
| Indecency | 9 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
105 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 30 | 28.6% |
| Billing | 29 | 27.6% |
| Speed | 21 | 20.0% |
| Interference | 11 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
Unwanted calls
A total of 718 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 62.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (856) 812-6000 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (650) 304-0476 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (856) 812-4937 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (415) 413-9120 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (205) 709-8320 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (240) 722-1481 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (260) 909-8281 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (323) 639-7737 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (712) 243-5650 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (806) 414-3163 | 3 | 0.4% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (650) 304-0476 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (856) 812-6000 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (205) 709-8320 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (415) 413-9120 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (559) 471-1752 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (240) 722-1481 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (323) 639-7737 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (806) 414-3163 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (217) 883-4239 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (240) 345-0435 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (650) 304-0476 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (856) 812-6000 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.