FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 October 2018
Introduction
A total of 1476 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 11 October 2018, this represented an increase from the 1427 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 1022 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1476
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1022)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (151)
Where the complaints came from
The 1476 complaints recorded on 11 October 2018 originated from 930 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Arkansas, where Fayetteville accounted for 22 of the 31 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 151 | 10.2% |
| Texas | 103 | 7.0% |
| New York | 101 | 6.8% |
| Florida | 100 | 6.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 62 | 4.2% |
| Michigan | 60 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 55 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 52 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 48 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 47 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 694 | 47.0% |
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 108 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1232 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1232 | 83.5% |
| TV | 132 | 8.9% |
| Internet | 98 | 6.6% |
| Radio | 12 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1232 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1022 | 83.0% |
| Billing | 93 | 7.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 30 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 14 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.5% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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.
TV complaints
132 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 38.6% |
| Indecency | 24 | 18.2% |
| Availability | 22 | 16.7% |
| Equipment | 13 | 9.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 9.1% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Indecency and Availability among the most common.
Internet complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 28.6% |
| Availability | 24 | 24.5% |
| Speed | 18 | 18.4% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.2% |
| Privacy | 10 | 10.2% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 1022 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 69.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (202) 868-8798 | 9 | 0.9% |
| (415) 200-0570 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (201) 215-1925 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (202) 849-7054 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (270) 232-5763 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (310) 633-2670 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (323) 484-5698 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (706) 383-3546 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 215-1934 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (202) 868-8798 | 9 | 0.9% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (201) 215-1925 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 657-6942 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (310) 219-6926 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (315) 370-1117 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (502) 530-8064 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (800) 610-4251 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 215-1913 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (201) 215-1934 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (202) 868-8798 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (202) 868-8798 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.