FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 October 2018
Introduction
On Friday, 26 October 2018, 1237 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1506 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 883 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1237
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (883)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (135)
Where the complaints came from
Across 809 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1237 complaints were recorded on 26 October 2018. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 135 | 10.9% |
| Florida | 125 | 10.1% |
| Texas | 98 | 7.9% |
| New York | 69 | 5.6% |
| New Jersey | 52 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 40 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.1% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.1% |
| Washington | 37 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 558 | 45.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1037 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1037 | 83.8% |
| Internet | 93 | 7.5% |
| TV | 87 | 7.0% |
| Radio | 10 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 9 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1037 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 883 | 85.1% |
| Billing | 65 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 29.0% |
| Speed | 23 | 24.7% |
| Availability | 18 | 19.4% |
| Privacy | 10 | 10.8% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.5% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 46.0% |
| Availability | 21 | 24.1% |
| Equipment | 13 | 14.9% |
| Indecency | 8 | 9.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 883 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 71.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (616) 425-2305 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (773) 974-8078 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (502) 442-1963 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (713) 589-6526 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (805) 200-5936 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (903) 300-1456 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 793-7461 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (231) 649-3692 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (321) 931-1596 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (361) 450-3136 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (616) 745-5567 | 9 | 1.0% |
| (877) 415-1322 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (805) 200-5936 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (231) 649-3692 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (385) 210-3887 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (503) 652-0114 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (516) 344-1073 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (614) 899-2330 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (707) 244-4538 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (616) 745-5567 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (616) 425-2305 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.