FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 October 2018
Introduction
On Wednesday, 31 October 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1380 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1373 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 995 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1380
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (995)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (130)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 31 October 2018 show 1380 complaints originating from 885 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. 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 | 130 | 9.4% |
| Florida | 110 | 8.0% |
| Texas | 107 | 7.8% |
| New York | 74 | 5.4% |
| Ohio | 66 | 4.8% |
| Michigan | 51 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 47 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 44 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 41 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 651 | 47.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 85 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1185 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1185 | 85.9% |
| TV | 94 | 6.8% |
| Internet | 89 | 6.4% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1185 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 85.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 995 | 84.0% |
| Billing | 73 | 6.2% |
| Equipment | 34 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 12 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.6% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 37.2% |
| Availability | 23 | 24.5% |
| Indecency | 15 | 16.0% |
| Equipment | 13 | 13.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 5.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 40.4% |
| Availability | 21 | 23.6% |
| Speed | 12 | 13.5% |
| Interference | 8 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 6 | 6.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 995 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 72.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (806) 391-3212 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (201) 241-2192 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (702) 359-4293 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (786) 627-5689 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (806) 391-3515 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (843) 225-7415 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 241-2289 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (208) 713-7890 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (214) 214-2023 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (310) 730-1241 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (201) 241-2192 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (209) 682-5896 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (406) 686-1817 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (702) 359-4293 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (786) 627-5689 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (806) 391-3212 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (208) 713-7890 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (210) 591-7785 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (320) 300-4471 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (425) 689-0235 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (201) 241-2192 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (806) 391-3212 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.