FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 September 2018
Introduction
On Friday, 21 September 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1071 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1282 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 724 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1071
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (724)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (102)
Where the complaints came from
The 1071 complaints recorded on 21 September 2018 were submitted from 717 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. 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 | 102 | 9.5% |
| Texas | 87 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 79 | 7.4% |
| New Jersey | 57 | 5.3% |
| New York | 57 | 5.3% |
| Virginia | 44 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 37 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 36 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 495 | 46.2% |
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 881 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 881 | 82.3% |
| Internet | 91 | 8.5% |
| TV | 86 | 8.0% |
| Radio | 10 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
881 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 724 | 82.2% |
| Billing | 46 | 5.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 34 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
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.
Internet complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 35.2% |
| Availability | 21 | 23.1% |
| Speed | 17 | 18.7% |
| Interference | 9 | 9.9% |
| Privacy | 8 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.4% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 48.8% |
| Availability | 17 | 19.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.3% |
| Indecency | 8 | 9.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 724 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 67.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (857) 270-7938 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (216) 330-4430 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (929) 214-1252 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (201) 215-6310 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (321) 427-8048 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (337) 600-1084 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (410) 431-3017 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (484) 601-7074 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (562) 374-8359 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (857) 270-7938 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (929) 214-1252 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (201) 215-6345 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 215-6384 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 643-3394 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (214) 377-1322 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (248) 882-2614 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (337) 600-1084 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (410) 431-3004 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (410) 431-3017 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (857) 270-7938 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (857) 270-7938 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.