FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 August 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1224 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 14 August 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1155 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 841 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1224
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (841)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (151)
Where the complaints came from
The 1224 complaints recorded on 14 August 2018 originated from 774 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. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 151 | 12.3% |
| Texas | 119 | 9.7% |
| Florida | 79 | 6.5% |
| New York | 65 | 5.3% |
| Ohio | 54 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 49 | 4.0% |
| North Carolina | 46 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.0% |
| Connecticut | 35 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 547 | 44.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 983 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 983 | 80.3% |
| TV | 117 | 9.6% |
| Internet | 109 | 8.9% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
983 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 841 | 85.6% |
| Billing | 56 | 5.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.3% |
| Equipment | 12 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| 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
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 48.7% |
| Availability | 22 | 18.8% |
| Equipment | 13 | 11.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 9.4% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 34.9% |
| Availability | 37 | 33.9% |
| Equipment | 12 | 11.0% |
| Speed | 10 | 9.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.6% |
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 841 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 68.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (305) 674-9220 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (303) 238-5263 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (936) 508-1683 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (225) 313-4414 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (856) 812-6000 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (203) 734-7890 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (309) 354-3536 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (815) 290-9183 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (856) 362-3732 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (888) 376-4805 | 3 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (305) 674-9220 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.