FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 August 2018
Introduction
On 28 August 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1284 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1171 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 829 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1284
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (829)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (145)
Where the complaints came from
The 1284 complaints recorded on 28 August 2018 originated from 848 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 145 | 11.3% |
| Texas | 116 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 109 | 8.5% |
| New York | 80 | 6.2% |
| New Jersey | 65 | 5.1% |
| Ohio | 62 | 4.8% |
| Illinois | 54 | 4.2% |
| Arizona | 39 | 3.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 3.0% |
| Washington | 36 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 535 | 41.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 100 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1018 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1018 | 79.3% |
| TV | 130 | 10.1% |
| Internet | 112 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1018 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 829 | 81.4% |
| Billing | 80 | 7.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 28 | 2.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 22 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
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.
TV complaints
130 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 66 | 50.8% |
| Availability | 22 | 16.9% |
| Equipment | 17 | 13.1% |
| Indecency | 12 | 9.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 5.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 30.4% |
| Availability | 29 | 25.9% |
| Speed | 20 | 17.9% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.7% |
| Interference | 11 | 9.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.4% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Unwanted calls
There were 829 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 64.6% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (630) 293-1000 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (419) 223-9113 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (650) 304-0476 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (203) 295-0462 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (206) 487-7276 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (210) 714-0996 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (217) 883-4240 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (248) 308-7196 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (253) 238-9509 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (661) 617-6717 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (210) 714-0996 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (470) 206-1618 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (650) 304-0476 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (206) 480-1057 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (206) 823-3111 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (217) 883-4240 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (248) 308-7196 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (253) 205-8337 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (253) 238-9509 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (661) 617-6717 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (630) 293-1000 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.