FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 November 2018
Introduction
On 1 November 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1364 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1380 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 974 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1364
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (974)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (193)
Where the complaints came from
On 1 November 2018, the 1364 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 843 cities across 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 193 | 14.1% |
| Florida | 110 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 90 | 6.6% |
| New York | 74 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 46 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 41 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 41 | 3.0% |
| Michigan | 40 | 2.9% |
| Virginia | 40 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 636 | 46.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 97 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 1119 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1119 | 82.0% |
| TV | 112 | 8.2% |
| Internet | 110 | 8.1% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1119 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 974 | 87.0% |
| Billing | 42 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 26 | 2.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 40.2% |
| Indecency | 32 | 28.6% |
| Availability | 16 | 14.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 9.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 33 | 30.0% |
| Billing | 33 | 30.0% |
| Speed | 14 | 12.7% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.9% |
| Interference | 10 | 9.1% |
| Privacy | 8 | 7.3% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 974 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 71.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (941) 803-7072 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (201) 241-2414 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (201) 241-3364 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (619) 478-7528 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (312) 246-7762 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (210) 944-4423 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (214) 957-6138 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (254) 207-0466 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (262) 404-4745 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (279) 857-7964 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (941) 803-7072 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (619) 478-7528 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (201) 241-2414 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (406) 848-1612 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (201) 241-3364 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (585) 708-8010 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (866) 395-0544 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (201) 241-2443 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (203) 409-8737 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (941) 803-7072 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.