FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 October 2018
Introduction
On Thursday, 25 October 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1506 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1545 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 1132 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1506
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1132)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (156)
Where the complaints came from
On 25 October 2018, the 1506 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 912 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 156 | 10.4% |
| Texas | 124 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 123 | 8.2% |
| New York | 79 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 60 | 4.0% |
| North Carolina | 56 | 3.7% |
| South Carolina | 53 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 52 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 52 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 47 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 701 | 46.5% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 97 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1303 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1303 | 86.5% |
| Internet | 108 | 7.2% |
| TV | 84 | 5.6% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1303 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 86.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1132 | 86.9% |
| Billing | 61 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 28 | 2.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 25 | 23.1% |
| Billing | 25 | 23.1% |
| Privacy | 22 | 20.4% |
| Equipment | 13 | 12.0% |
| Interference | 13 | 12.0% |
| Speed | 10 | 9.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Privacy.
TV complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 41.7% |
| Availability | 12 | 14.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 13.1% |
| Equipment | 10 | 11.9% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.8% |
Billing represented the largest share of complaints recorded in this category, with lower volumes reported across the remaining issues.
Unwanted calls
1132 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 75.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (505) 557-2741 | 9 | 0.8% |
| (415) 200-1866 | 5 | 0.4% |
| (713) 589-6526 | 5 | 0.4% |
| (231) 201-8017 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (415) 200-1909 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (508) 216-0095 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (650) 237-8834 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (213) 358-2463 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (213) 807-0000 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 925-9112 | 5 | 0.4% |
| (415) 200-1866 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (231) 201-8017 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (508) 216-0095 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (718) 309-7033 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (832) 514-6187 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (206) 213-9984 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (206) 569-4821 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (207) 962-0018 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (410) 650-4797 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (866) 925-9112 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (505) 557-2741 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.