FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 August 2018
Introduction
On Tuesday, 21 August 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1217 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1104 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 766 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1217
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (766)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 21 August 2018 show 1217 complaints originating from 814 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 129 | 10.6% |
| Texas | 101 | 8.3% |
| Florida | 93 | 7.6% |
| New York | 75 | 6.2% |
| Ohio | 49 | 4.0% |
| Michigan | 47 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 42 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 39 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 556 | 45.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 953 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 953 | 78.3% |
| Internet | 136 | 11.2% |
| TV | 110 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
953 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 766 | 80.4% |
| Billing | 85 | 8.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.1% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 17 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 33.8% |
| Availability | 30 | 22.1% |
| Speed | 27 | 19.9% |
| Equipment | 13 | 9.6% |
| Interference | 10 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 10 | 7.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 48.2% |
| Availability | 18 | 16.4% |
| Equipment | 13 | 11.8% |
| Indecency | 11 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 9 | 8.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
766 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 62.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (713) 747-4857 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (336) 709-1635 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (732) 201-6808 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (240) 407-7665 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (267) 460-6347 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (303) 967-1096 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (317) 676-0337 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (320) 229-1277 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (480) 681-1050 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (618) 248-4404 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (713) 747-4857 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (732) 201-6808 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (336) 709-1635 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (240) 623-2263 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (857) 262-8789 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (240) 407-7665 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (312) 878-3375 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (317) 676-0337 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (425) 223-3337 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (713) 747-4857 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (713) 747-4857 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.