FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 August 2018
Introduction
A total of 1058 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 31 August 2018, this was lower than the 1284 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with Texas reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 704 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1058
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (704)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (123)
Where the complaints came from
Across 711 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1058 complaints were recorded on 31 August 2018. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 123 | 11.6% |
| California | 102 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 68 | 6.4% |
| New York | 62 | 5.9% |
| Ohio | 59 | 5.6% |
| Georgia | 47 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 44 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 35 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 438 | 41.4% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 79 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 833 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 833 | 78.7% |
| TV | 116 | 11.0% |
| Internet | 88 | 8.3% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.9% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
833 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 704 | 84.5% |
| Billing | 62 | 7.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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 Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
TV complaints
116 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 50 | 43.1% |
| Billing | 45 | 38.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
88 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 30 | 34.1% |
| Billing | 24 | 27.3% |
| Speed | 15 | 17.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.7% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 704 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 66.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (405) 600-7973 | 8 | 1.1% |
| (412) 857-4870 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (650) 304-0476 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (201) 205-9335 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (254) 319-5543 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (805) 960-5323 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (866) 669-2584 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 205-8451 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (561) 270-4674 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (609) 249-3715 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (405) 600-7973 | 8 | 1.1% |
| (650) 304-0476 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (254) 319-5543 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 205-7971 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 205-8283 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 205-8451 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (412) 760-9045 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (510) 897-6315 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (757) 371-0554 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (805) 960-5323 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (405) 600-7973 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (405) 600-7973 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.