FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 August 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1222 consumer complaints on 16 August 2018 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1309 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 826 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1222
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (826)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (137)
Where the complaints came from
The 1222 complaints recorded on 16 August 2018 originated from 811 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 | 137 | 11.2% |
| Texas | 113 | 9.2% |
| Florida | 70 | 5.7% |
| New York | 65 | 5.3% |
| New Jersey | 63 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 52 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 38 | 3.1% |
| Arizona | 35 | 2.9% |
| Washington | 35 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 567 | 46.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1004 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1004 | 82.2% |
| Internet | 107 | 8.8% |
| TV | 91 | 7.4% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1004 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 826 | 82.3% |
| Billing | 47 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 2.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 26 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 27.1% |
| Availability | 27 | 25.2% |
| Speed | 20 | 18.7% |
| Interference | 14 | 13.1% |
| Privacy | 12 | 11.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.7% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 47.3% |
| Availability | 24 | 26.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.8% |
| Indecency | 8 | 8.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.4% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 826 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 67.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (320) 229-1277 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (806) 414-3163 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (877) 208-4172 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (217) 883-4284 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (320) 229-1212 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (320) 229-1295 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (412) 459-7975 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (650) 304-0476 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (844) 210-7999 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (914) 200-9400 | 3 | 0.4% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (320) 229-1277 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (208) 407-7890 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (217) 883-4284 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (806) 414-3163 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (877) 208-4172 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (650) 304-0476 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (908) 274-2098 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (205) 374-8770 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (205) 709-8320 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (208) 407-7980 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (320) 229-1277 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (320) 229-1277 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.