FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 August 2018
Introduction
A total of 1104 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 20 August 2018, complaint volume increased from 208 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 685 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1104
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (685)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (117)
Where the complaints came from
Across 756 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1104 complaints were recorded on 20 August 2018. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 117 | 10.6% |
| Florida | 91 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 71 | 6.4% |
| New York | 56 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 5.0% |
| Ohio | 50 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 47 | 4.3% |
| Colorado | 38 | 3.4% |
| North Carolina | 38 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 499 | 45.2% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 860 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 860 | 77.9% |
| Internet | 117 | 10.6% |
| TV | 108 | 9.8% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
860 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 685 | 79.7% |
| Billing | 80 | 9.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 8 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 34.2% |
| Availability | 39 | 33.3% |
| Speed | 20 | 17.1% |
| Privacy | 8 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 43.5% |
| Availability | 22 | 20.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 13.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.4% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
685 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 62% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (404) 835-5477 | 10 | 1.5% |
| (815) 581-8114 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (314) 207-2637 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (214) 231-2976 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (214) 671-8005 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (440) 291-8036 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (516) 460-9708 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (516) 460-9711 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (518) 852-5682 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (567) 244-0066 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (404) 835-5477 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (314) 207-2637 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (815) 581-8114 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (815) 581-8116 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (214) 231-2976 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (214) 671-8005 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (317) 676-0331 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (317) 676-0336 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (407) 537-8652 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (516) 460-9708 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (404) 835-5477 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (404) 835-5477 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.