FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 October 2018
Introduction
On 12 October 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1252 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1476 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 853 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1252
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (853)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (170)
Where the complaints came from
The 1252 complaints recorded on 12 October 2018 originated from 818 cities across 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 170 | 13.6% |
| Florida | 86 | 6.9% |
| New York | 86 | 6.9% |
| Texas | 81 | 6.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 51 | 4.1% |
| Michigan | 43 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 39 | 3.1% |
| North Carolina | 36 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 565 | 45.1% |
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 1001 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1001 | 80.0% |
| TV | 122 | 9.7% |
| Internet | 101 | 8.1% |
| Radio | 26 | 2.1% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1001 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 853 | 85.2% |
| Billing | 56 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 34 | 3.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 8 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.3% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
122 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 27.9% |
| Indecency | 33 | 27.0% |
| Availability | 23 | 18.9% |
| Equipment | 14 | 11.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Indecency and Availability.
Internet complaints
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 35.6% |
| Availability | 27 | 26.7% |
| Speed | 16 | 15.8% |
| Interference | 11 | 10.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
853 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 68.1% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (201) 215-2201 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (201) 215-2072 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (201) 215-2053 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (201) 215-1997 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 215-2124 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 215-2136 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (657) 220-1622 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (773) 668-0777 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (804) 980-7938 | 3 | 0.4% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 847-2911 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (201) 215-2201 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (804) 980-7938 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (888) 919-6143 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (201) 215-2053 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 215-2124 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (657) 220-1622 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (910) 358-4121 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 215-1957 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (800) 847-2911 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (201) 215-2201 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.