FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 October 2018
Introduction
On 2 October 2018, 1373 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 1033 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 901 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1373
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (901)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (175)
Where the complaints came from
The 1373 complaints recorded on 2 October 2018 originated from 894 cities across 51 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 Arkansas, where Fayetteville accounted for 38 of the 53 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 | 175 | 12.7% |
| Texas | 95 | 6.9% |
| Florida | 93 | 6.8% |
| Ohio | 63 | 4.6% |
| New York | 61 | 4.4% |
| Arkansas | 53 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 50 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 47 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 41 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 638 | 46.5% |
Location highlights
- Complaints in Arkansas were heavily concentrated in Fayetteville, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
- Complaints in California were reported across 119 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1131 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1131 | 82.4% |
| Internet | 112 | 8.2% |
| TV | 111 | 8.1% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1131 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 901 | 79.7% |
| Billing | 82 | 7.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 39 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 35 | 3.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 28 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 20 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 34.8% |
| Availability | 26 | 23.2% |
| Speed | 19 | 17.0% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.7% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 51.4% |
| Availability | 24 | 21.6% |
| Equipment | 11 | 9.9% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 901 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 65.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (201) 215-1099 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (201) 215-1121 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 215-1230 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (240) 219-0464 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (408) 960-0110 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 215-1010 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (201) 215-1125 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (201) 215-1235 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (201) 215-1244 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (201) 510-0645 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (201) 215-1099 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.