FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 September 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 426 consumer complaints on Monday, 3 September 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 239 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 45 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 263 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 426
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (263)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (52)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 3 September 2018 show 426 complaints originating from 299 cities across 45 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Illinois, where Batavia accounted for 37 of the 51 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 52 | 12.2% |
| Illinois | 51 | 12.0% |
| Florida | 40 | 9.4% |
| Texas | 36 | 8.5% |
| New Jersey | 22 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 22 | 5.2% |
| New York | 18 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 13 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 11 | 2.6% |
| West Virginia | 11 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 149 | 35.0% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Illinois originated from Batavia, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 323 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 323 | 75.8% |
| TV | 53 | 12.4% |
| Internet | 45 | 10.6% |
| Radio | 4 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
323 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 263 | 81.4% |
| Billing | 22 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 13 | 4.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 3.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
53 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 17 | 32.1% |
| Availability | 16 | 30.2% |
| Billing | 11 | 20.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 11.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.9% |
Indecency and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 11 | 24.4% |
| Speed | 11 | 24.4% |
| Interference | 9 | 20.0% |
| Billing | 8 | 17.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 8.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Speed and Interference among the most common.
Unwanted calls
263 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 61.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (204) 543-2952 | 5 | 1.9% |
| (630) 231-4171 | 5 | 1.9% |
| (312) 296-0807 | 4 | 1.5% |
| (201) 205-7255 | 3 | 1.1% |
| (217) 481-8064 | 3 | 1.1% |
| (408) 960-0110 | 3 | 1.1% |
| (630) 360-3287 | 3 | 1.1% |
| (217) 203-9135 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (630) 414-6638 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (630) 430-2760 | 2 | 0.8% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (204) 543-2952 | 5 | 1.9% |
| (408) 960-0110 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (650) 304-0476 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (785) 630-5029 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (805) 303-1850 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (928) 263-6149 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (201) 205-7255 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (201) 205-7539 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (201) 578-7405 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (201) 963-2222 | 1 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (204) 543-2952 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
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.