FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 August 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1094 consumer complaints on Friday, 17 August 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1222 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 751 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1094
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (751)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (143)
Where the complaints came from
The 1094 complaints recorded on 17 August 2018 were submitted from 719 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 143 | 13.1% |
| Texas | 92 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 75 | 6.9% |
| New York | 67 | 6.1% |
| Ohio | 51 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | 43 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 34 | 3.1% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 3.1% |
| Colorado | 33 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 482 | 44.1% |
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 900 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 900 | 82.3% |
| Internet | 92 | 8.4% |
| TV | 76 | 6.9% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 9 | 0.8% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
900 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 751 | 83.4% |
| Billing | 58 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.3% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 37.0% |
| Speed | 17 | 18.5% |
| Availability | 14 | 15.2% |
| Interference | 11 | 12.0% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 6.5% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 61.8% |
| Availability | 14 | 18.4% |
| Equipment | 10 | 13.2% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.6% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 751 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 68.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (320) 229-1311 | 8 | 1.1% |
| (407) 809-3118 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (312) 481-6032 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 795-3690 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (218) 309-0809 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (302) 240-0503 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (312) 392-5875 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (312) 475-9510 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (320) 229-1277 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (320) 229-1331 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.
- (320) 229-1311 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.