FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 November 2018
Introduction
On Tuesday, 20 November 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1198 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1084 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 864 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1198
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (864)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (108)
Where the complaints came from
The 1198 complaints recorded on 20 November 2018 originated from 797 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 108 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 92 | 7.7% |
| Texas | 80 | 6.7% |
| New York | 78 | 6.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 4.2% |
| Michigan | 44 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 42 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 39 | 3.3% |
| Wisconsin | 39 | 3.3% |
| South Carolina | 34 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 592 | 49.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 997 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 997 | 83.2% |
| TV | 102 | 8.5% |
| Internet | 86 | 7.2% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
997 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 864 | 86.7% |
| Billing | 58 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 27 | 2.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 0.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 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. 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
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 52.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 12.7% |
| Equipment | 12 | 11.8% |
| Availability | 9 | 8.8% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
Billing and Loud Commercials were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 34.9% |
| Availability | 22 | 25.6% |
| Speed | 19 | 22.1% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.1% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
864 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 72.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 772-1213 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (561) 327-3212 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (319) 400-7890 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (202) 813-0329 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (205) 352-2581 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (469) 479-9609 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (561) 327-3718 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (636) 949-8346 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (718) 568-2230 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (720) 870-7660 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (561) 327-3212 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (561) 327-3718 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 813-0329 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (210) 742-5712 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (404) 400-2889 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (425) 354-4750 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (469) 479-9609 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (510) 279-3226 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (315) 232-8257 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (800) 772-1213 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.