FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 August 2018
Introduction
On 27 August 2018, 1171 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 232 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 790 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1171
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (790)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (124)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1171 complaints were recorded on 27 August 2018, with reports originating from 734 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Nevada, where Henderson accounted for 31 of the 40 complaints recorded.
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 | 10.6% |
| Texas | 113 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 93 | 7.9% |
| New York | 60 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 41 | 3.5% |
| Nevada | 40 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 40 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 532 | 45.4% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Nevada originated from Henderson, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 964 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 964 | 82.3% |
| Internet | 100 | 8.5% |
| TV | 92 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 11 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
964 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 790 | 82.0% |
| Billing | 72 | 7.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 43.0% |
| Availability | 24 | 24.0% |
| Speed | 16 | 16.0% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 44.6% |
| Equipment | 16 | 17.4% |
| Availability | 15 | 16.3% |
| Indecency | 13 | 14.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Equipment accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 790 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 67.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (304) 350-1898 | 10 | 1.3% |
| (304) 350-1909 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (630) 657-1445 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (718) 355-8226 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (217) 993-8521 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (240) 339-8703 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (262) 289-3510 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (270) 238-6130 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (303) 967-1096 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (318) 665-5708 | 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.
- (304) 350-1898 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.