FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 October 2018
Introduction
A total of 1210 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 22 October 2018, this represented an increase from the 299 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 845 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1210
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (845)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (132)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1210 complaints were recorded on 22 October 2018, with reports originating from 809 cities in 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 132 | 10.9% |
| Texas | 93 | 7.7% |
| Florida | 81 | 6.7% |
| New York | 77 | 6.4% |
| Georgia | 59 | 4.9% |
| Ohio | 45 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 41 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 40 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 558 | 46.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1009 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1009 | 83.4% |
| TV | 97 | 8.0% |
| Internet | 84 | 6.9% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1009 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 845 | 83.7% |
| Billing | 61 | 6.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 2.2% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.2% |
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 Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 33.0% |
| Availability | 24 | 24.7% |
| Indecency | 13 | 13.4% |
| Equipment | 11 | 11.3% |
| Privacy | 8 | 8.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Indecency among the most common.
Internet complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 29.8% |
| Privacy | 16 | 19.0% |
| Availability | 15 | 17.9% |
| Speed | 15 | 17.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.0% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Privacy and Availability among the most common.
Unwanted calls
There were 845 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 69.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (415) 200-1294 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (239) 203-2439 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (415) 200-1316 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (415) 200-1381 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 250-3657 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (202) 552-2022 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (209) 730-6238 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (360) 283-5550 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (407) 545-2124 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (415) 200-1204 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (415) 200-1294 | 10 | 1.2% |
| (415) 200-1316 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (415) 200-1327 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (415) 200-1381 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (913) 752-9609 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 552-2022 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (209) 730-6238 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (239) 203-2439 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (251) 202-4751 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (360) 283-5550 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (415) 200-1294 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (415) 200-1294 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.