FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 September 2018
Introduction
A total of 1257 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 12 September 2018, this represented a decline from the 1292 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 885 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1257
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (885)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (148)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1257 complaints were recorded on 12 September 2018, with reports originating from 825 cities in 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 148 | 11.8% |
| Texas | 110 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 94 | 7.5% |
| New York | 84 | 6.7% |
| New Jersey | 54 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 52 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 46 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 45 | 3.6% |
| Arizona | 43 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 522 | 41.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 94 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1026 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1026 | 81.6% |
| TV | 120 | 9.5% |
| Internet | 95 | 7.6% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
1026 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 885 | 86.3% |
| Billing | 53 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 28 | 2.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 44 | 36.7% |
| Billing | 40 | 33.3% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.5% |
| Indecency | 8 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.8% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 34.7% |
| Availability | 29 | 30.5% |
| Speed | 13 | 13.7% |
| Privacy | 8 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
885 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 70.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (201) 204-5141 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (201) 204-5263 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (201) 204-5147 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 204-5224 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 204-5239 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 204-5808 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 204-5848 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (267) 703-2037 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 204-5267 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 847-2911 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (201) 204-5141 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (201) 204-5224 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 204-5263 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 204-5147 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (201) 204-5267 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (202) 643-3394 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (207) 387-7039 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (209) 301-8747 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (360) 967-4511 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (800) 847-2911 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (201) 204-5141 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.