FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 October 2018
Introduction
On Monday, 15 October 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1047 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 288 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 701 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1047
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (701)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (104)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 15 October 2018 show 1047 complaints originating from 701 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Illinois, where Chicago accounted for 33 of the 52 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 | 104 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 86 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 75 | 7.2% |
| New York | 68 | 6.5% |
| Illinois | 52 | 5.0% |
| New Jersey | 51 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.4% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 30 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 453 | 43.3% |
Location highlight
Chicago accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Illinois.
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 864 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 864 | 82.5% |
| Internet | 87 | 8.3% |
| TV | 83 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
864 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 701 | 81.1% |
| Billing | 67 | 7.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 22 | 25.3% |
| Speed | 11 | 12.6% |
| Privacy | 10 | 11.5% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 8.0% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 43.4% |
| Availability | 17 | 20.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 10.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 9.6% |
| Indecency | 7 | 8.4% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 701 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 67% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (551) 272-3100 | 8 | 1.1% |
| (551) 272-7644 | 8 | 1.1% |
| (551) 272-7335 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (312) 392-1553 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (551) 272-4853 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (302) 202-3509 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (469) 802-3998 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (551) 272-4706 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (872) 713-9032 | 3 | 0.4% |
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.
- Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
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.