FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 September 2018
Introduction
On 25 September 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1389 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1170 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 910 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1389
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (910)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (174)
Where the complaints came from
The 1389 complaints recorded on 25 September 2018 were submitted from 887 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 | 174 | 12.5% |
| Texas | 103 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 100 | 7.2% |
| Illinois | 70 | 5.0% |
| New York | 63 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 60 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 49 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 45 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 40 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 629 | 45.3% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 104 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1105 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1105 | 79.6% |
| TV | 160 | 11.5% |
| Internet | 100 | 7.2% |
| Radio | 21 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1105 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 910 | 82.4% |
| Billing | 68 | 6.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 46 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 32 | 2.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 12 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
160 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 69 | 43.1% |
| Indecency | 31 | 19.4% |
| Availability | 29 | 18.1% |
| Equipment | 13 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 9 | 5.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.9% |
Billing and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 38.0% |
| Availability | 21 | 21.0% |
| Speed | 18 | 18.0% |
| Equipment | 13 | 13.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 6.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Unwanted calls
A total of 910 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 65.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (201) 215-5343 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (216) 330-4430 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (201) 215-5333 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (201) 215-5686 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (201) 215-5305 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 215-5666 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (402) 695-4639 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (701) 436-2581 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 215-5292 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (201) 215-5343 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (201) 215-5333 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (201) 215-5686 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (225) 331-6969 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (402) 695-4639 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (415) 685-5388 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (609) 385-1852 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 215-5292 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (201) 215-5322 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (201) 215-5343 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- 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.