FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 October 2018
Introduction
On 4 October 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1475 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1377 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 1075 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1475
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1075)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (158)
Where the complaints came from
On 4 October 2018, the 1475 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 919 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 158 | 10.7% |
| Florida | 108 | 7.3% |
| Texas | 102 | 6.9% |
| New York | 86 | 5.8% |
| Ohio | 70 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | 66 | 4.5% |
| New Jersey | 66 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 61 | 4.1% |
| Georgia | 53 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 51 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 651 | 44.1% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 1243 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1243 | 84.3% |
| TV | 103 | 7.0% |
| Internet | 93 | 6.3% |
| Radio | 32 | 2.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1243 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1075 | 86.5% |
| Billing | 52 | 4.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 31 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 19 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 0.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.4% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 50.5% |
| Availability | 25 | 24.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.7% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 26.9% |
| Availability | 20 | 21.5% |
| Speed | 20 | 21.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 11.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 9.7% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Radio complaints
32 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 22 | 68.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 18.8% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 6.3% |
| Billing | 1 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3.1% |
Indecency and Interference accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 1075 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 72.9% 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) 215-1484 | 12 | 1.1% |
| (551) 225-8299 | 10 | 0.9% |
| (929) 214-1252 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (201) 215-1471 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (857) 270-7938 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (202) 200-7180 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 215-1404 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (201) 215-1477 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (201) 215-1486 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (551) 225-8299 | 10 | 0.9% |
| (201) 215-1484 | 9 | 0.8% |
| (201) 215-1471 | 7 | 0.7% |
| (929) 214-1252 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (510) 578-5092 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (857) 270-7938 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (201) 215-1404 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 215-1477 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (503) 556-8768 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (551) 225-8299 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (201) 215-1484 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.