FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 November 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1192 consumer complaints on Thursday, 15 November 2018 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1237 complaints the previous day. 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 880 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1192
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (880)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (114)
Where the complaints came from
The 1192 complaints recorded on 15 November 2018 originated from 773 cities across 52 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Iowa, where Iowa City accounted for 24 of the 31 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 114 | 9.6% |
| Texas | 102 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 93 | 7.8% |
| New York | 80 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 57 | 4.8% |
| North Carolina | 44 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 39 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 36 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 546 | 45.8% |
Location highlight
Iowa City accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Iowa.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1023 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1023 | 85.8% |
| Internet | 78 | 6.5% |
| TV | 78 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 11 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1023 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 85.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 880 | 86.0% |
| Billing | 47 | 4.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.0% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
78 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 32.1% |
| Availability | 19 | 24.4% |
| Speed | 15 | 19.2% |
| Privacy | 12 | 15.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
78 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 37.2% |
| Availability | 18 | 23.1% |
| Equipment | 13 | 16.7% |
| Indecency | 8 | 10.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
880 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 73.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (207) 393-2042 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (207) 560-8903 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (512) 551-0202 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (531) 201-6459 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (540) 339-3983 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 524-1264 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (214) 306-6631 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (254) 863-1200 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (269) 326-4580 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (321) 328-8691 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (207) 393-2042 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.