FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 September 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1393 consumer complaints on 18 September 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1086 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 936 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1393
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (936)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (140)
Where the complaints came from
The 1393 complaints recorded on 18 September 2018 were submitted from 914 cities across 53 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 140 | 10.1% |
| Texas | 112 | 8.0% |
| Florida | 107 | 7.7% |
| New York | 79 | 5.7% |
| New Jersey | 70 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 68 | 4.9% |
| Virginia | 52 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 51 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 40 | 2.9% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 629 | 45.2% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1141 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1141 | 81.9% |
| TV | 121 | 8.7% |
| Internet | 104 | 7.5% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1141 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 936 | 82.0% |
| Billing | 81 | 7.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 38 | 3.3% |
| Equipment | 28 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
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
121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 42.1% |
| Availability | 38 | 31.4% |
| Equipment | 13 | 10.7% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
104 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 35.6% |
| Availability | 31 | 29.8% |
| Speed | 19 | 18.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 936 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 67.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (857) 270-7938 | 7 | 0.7% |
| (201) 204-0066 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 380-9741 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (203) 521-9803 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (216) 330-4430 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (223) 222-2301 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (720) 452-5560 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 200-3685 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (201) 203-5716 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (201) 204-0608 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (857) 270-7938 | 7 | 0.7% |
| (201) 203-5716 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 215-6606 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 380-9741 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (203) 521-9803 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (223) 222-2301 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (315) 232-8250 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (585) 495-2453 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 204-0018 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (206) 462-5394 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (857) 270-7938 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (857) 270-7938 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.