FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 November 2018
Introduction
On 22 November 2018, 295 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 998 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 41 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 181 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 295
- States & territories reporting
- 41
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (181)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (34)
Where the complaints came from
The 295 complaints recorded on 22 November 2018 originated from 223 cities across 41 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 34 | 11.5% |
| Texas | 27 | 9.2% |
| Florida | 22 | 7.5% |
| Massachusetts | 16 | 5.4% |
| New York | 16 | 5.4% |
| North Carolina | 15 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 12 | 4.1% |
| Michigan | 11 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 11 | 3.7% |
| Other states and territories | 117 | 39.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 4 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 225 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 225 | 76.3% |
| Internet | 33 | 11.2% |
| TV | 33 | 11.2% |
| Radio | 4 | 1.4% |
Phone complaints
225 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 181 | 80.4% |
| Billing | 16 | 7.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 7 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 3.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 1 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 11 | 33.3% |
| Speed | 11 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 4 | 12.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 6.1% |
Billing and Speed were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 10 | 30.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 18.2% |
| Billing | 5 | 15.2% |
| Interference | 5 | 15.2% |
| Equipment | 4 | 12.1% |
| Availability | 3 | 9.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Indecency, Loud Commercials and Billing among the most common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 181 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 61.4% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (210) 538-9766 | 9 | 5.0% |
| (850) 846-7425 | 3 | 1.7% |
| (262) 629-6326 | 2 | 1.1% |
| (346) 800-9730 | 2 | 1.1% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 1.1% |
| (707) 341-6876 | 2 | 1.1% |
| (773) 895-0354 | 2 | 1.1% |
| (800) 772-1213 | 2 | 1.1% |
| (202) 900-1770 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (205) 303-3566 | 1 | 0.6% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (210) 538-9766 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.