FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 October 2018
Introduction
A total of 1405 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 23 October 2018, complaint volume increased from 1210 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 1001 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1405
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1001)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (144)
Where the complaints came from
Across 900 cities in 53 states and territories, a total of 1405 complaints were recorded on 23 October 2018. 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 | 144 | 10.2% |
| Texas | 118 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 109 | 7.8% |
| New York | 74 | 5.3% |
| New Jersey | 58 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 53 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 51 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 47 | 3.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 45 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 659 | 46.9% |
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 1200 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1200 | 85.4% |
| Internet | 98 | 7.0% |
| TV | 84 | 6.0% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1200 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 85.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1001 | 83.4% |
| Billing | 88 | 7.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 24 | 2.0% |
| Equipment | 19 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 0.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.4% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Junk Faxes.
Internet complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 31.6% |
| Availability | 24 | 24.5% |
| Speed | 18 | 18.4% |
| Privacy | 13 | 13.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 48.8% |
| Availability | 18 | 21.4% |
| Indecency | 8 | 9.5% |
| Interference | 7 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
1001 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 71.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (415) 200-1538 | 14 | 1.4% |
| (415) 200-1797 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (201) 299-4314 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (214) 937-4428 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (260) 897-1064 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (415) 200-1514 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (515) 735-3234 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (219) 500-0095 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (317) 489-9214 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (347) 878-2932 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (415) 200-1538 | 12 | 1.2% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (214) 937-4428 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (415) 200-1569 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (415) 200-1797 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (515) 735-3234 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (718) 309-8997 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 299-4314 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (231) 631-6677 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (317) 489-9214 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (415) 200-1538 stood out as both the most frequently reported business contact number and 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.