FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 October 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1427 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 10 October 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1341 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 1063 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1427
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1063)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (146)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1427 complaints were recorded on 10 October 2018, with reports originating from 896 cities in 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 146 | 10.2% |
| Texas | 120 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 82 | 5.7% |
| New York | 77 | 5.4% |
| Illinois | 67 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 67 | 4.7% |
| North Carolina | 57 | 4.0% |
| Washington | 53 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 52 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 51 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 653 | 45.8% |
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 1202 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1202 | 84.2% |
| TV | 110 | 7.7% |
| Internet | 102 | 7.1% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1202 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1063 | 88.4% |
| Billing | 64 | 5.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 1.8% |
| Equipment | 16 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
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
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 36.4% |
| Availability | 21 | 19.1% |
| Indecency | 21 | 19.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.7% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Indecency.
Internet complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 34.3% |
| Speed | 25 | 24.5% |
| Availability | 17 | 16.7% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 8.8% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
Unwanted calls
1063 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 74.5% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (201) 215-1873 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (425) 256-8052 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (520) 337-5156 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (404) 537-3150 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (408) 454-5940 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (408) 551-2150 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (425) 256-5052 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (888) 919-6143 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (973) 928-7436 | 3 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (555) 555-5555 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.