FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 October 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1265 consumer complaints on 16 October 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1047 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 806 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1265
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (806)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (130)
Where the complaints came from
Across 824 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1265 complaints were recorded on 16 October 2018. 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 130 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 122 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 109 | 8.6% |
| New York | 80 | 6.3% |
| Illinois | 55 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 44 | 3.5% |
| Arizona | 39 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 39 | 3.1% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 556 | 44.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 985 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 985 | 77.9% |
| Internet | 138 | 10.9% |
| TV | 124 | 9.8% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
985 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 806 | 81.8% |
| Billing | 65 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 35 | 3.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 18 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| 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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
138 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 64 | 46.4% |
| Billing | 21 | 15.2% |
| Interference | 15 | 10.9% |
| Speed | 15 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 12 | 8.7% |
| Privacy | 11 | 8.0% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
124 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 42.7% |
| Availability | 34 | 27.4% |
| Equipment | 23 | 18.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 4.8% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.4% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 806 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 63.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (551) 272-7669 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (201) 215-2282 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (205) 632-2610 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (270) 232-5804 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (551) 272-7725 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (551) 272-7899 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (408) 794-2669 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (469) 802-3998 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (551) 272-4706 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (551) 272-7734 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (551) 272-7669 | 7 | 0.9% |
| (201) 297-5455 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (205) 632-2610 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (551) 272-7899 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 215-2282 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (361) 758-6002 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (469) 802-3998 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (518) 641-1338 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (551) 272-7644 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (551) 272-7734 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (551) 272-7669 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (551) 272-7669 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.