FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 August 2018

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1100 consumer complaints on 23 August 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1041 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 719 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1100
States & territories reporting
52
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (719)
Most reported state/territory
California (124)

Where the complaints came from

The 1100 complaints recorded on 23 August 2018 originated from 737 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.

State/Territory Complaints
California 124 11.3%
Texas 104 9.5%
Florida 98 8.9%
New York 60 5.5%
North Carolina 47 4.3%
Virginia 42 3.8%
New Jersey 40 3.6%
Ohio 39 3.5%
Washington 38 3.5%
Illinois 36 3.3%
Other states and territories 469 42.6%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 869 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 869 79.0%
Internet 119 10.8%
TV 94 8.5%
Radio 17 1.5%
Accessibility 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

869 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 719 82.7%
Billing 59 6.8%
Availability (including rural call completion) 27 3.1%
Equipment 17 2.0%
Privacy 13 1.5%
Junk Faxes 9 1.0%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 9 1.0%
Interference (including signal jammers) 8 0.9%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 4 0.5%
Rural Call Completion 2 0.2%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 2 0.2%

As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

Internet complaints

119 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 38 31.9%
Availability 29 24.4%
Speed 19 16.0%
Privacy 13 10.9%
Equipment 10 8.4%
Interference 10 8.4%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.

TV complaints

94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 52 55.3%
Availability 22 23.4%
Indecency 6 6.4%
Loud Commercials 6 6.4%
Equipment 3 3.2%
Interference 3 3.2%
Privacy 2 2.1%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Unwanted calls

719 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 65.4% 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
(901) 922-5833 14 1.9%
(917) 460-0052 4 0.6%
(443) 706-8370 3 0.4%
(929) 999-1012 3 0.4%
(201) 903-7602 2 0.3%
(206) 208-5086 2 0.3%
(347) 565-5921 2 0.3%
(402) 347-7143 2 0.3%
(408) 601-9870 2 0.3%
(443) 706-8376 2 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(901) 922-5833 11 1.5%
(917) 460-0052 4 0.6%
(844) 813-1676 3 0.4%
(929) 999-1012 3 0.4%
(206) 208-5086 2 0.3%
(206) 502-1029 2 0.3%
(240) 341-0307 2 0.3%
(402) 347-7143 2 0.3%
(408) 307-5049 2 0.3%
(425) 578-0051 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
  • (901) 922-5833 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • (901) 922-5833 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 23 August 2018.

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.