FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 November 2018
Introduction
On 14 November 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1237 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1249 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 921 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1237
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (921)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (146)
Where the complaints came from
The 1237 complaints recorded on 14 November 2018 were submitted from 814 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 146 | 11.8% |
| Texas | 103 | 8.3% |
| Florida | 77 | 6.2% |
| New York | 61 | 4.9% |
| North Carolina | 52 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 48 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 42 | 3.4% |
| Maryland | 40 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 39 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 590 | 47.7% |
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 1043 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1043 | 84.3% |
| Internet | 103 | 8.3% |
| TV | 76 | 6.1% |
| Radio | 11 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
1043 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 921 | 88.3% |
| Billing | 47 | 4.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 18 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Privacy | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 30 | 29.1% |
| Billing | 25 | 24.3% |
| Speed | 21 | 20.4% |
| Privacy | 17 | 16.5% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.9% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
TV complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 44.7% |
| Availability | 12 | 15.8% |
| Equipment | 11 | 14.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 10.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
921 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 74.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (512) 551-0141 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (407) 358-6232 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (207) 393-2027 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (508) 858-0065 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (530) 806-0184 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (866) 978-6568 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (253) 777-4371 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (310) 633-2670 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (360) 474-4533 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (512) 551-0141 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (407) 358-6232 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (207) 393-2027 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (540) 339-3634 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (850) 846-7422 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (214) 932-3138 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (253) 777-4371 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (323) 999-3585 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (360) 474-4533 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (415) 404-0435 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (512) 551-0141 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (512) 551-0141 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.