FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 November 2018
Introduction
On Friday, 23 November 2018, 479 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 295 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 316 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 479
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (316)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (62)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 479 complaints were recorded on 23 November 2018, with reports originating from 377 cities in 50 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 shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 62 | 12.9% |
| Florida | 33 | 6.9% |
| North Carolina | 29 | 6.1% |
| New York | 27 | 5.6% |
| Illinois | 26 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 24 | 5.0% |
| Texas | 24 | 5.0% |
| Ohio | 23 | 4.8% |
| Georgia | 18 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 15 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 198 | 41.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 4 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 399 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 399 | 83.3% |
| TV | 41 | 8.6% |
| Internet | 35 | 7.3% |
| Radio | 4 | 0.8% |
Phone complaints
399 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 316 | 79.2% |
| Billing | 40 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 15 | 3.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail 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
41 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 18 | 43.9% |
| Indecency | 8 | 19.5% |
| Availability | 5 | 12.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 12.2% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 12 | 34.3% |
| Billing | 9 | 25.7% |
| Availability | 7 | 20.0% |
| Privacy | 4 | 11.4% |
| Interference | 2 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Speed and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
316 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 66% 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 | 1.9% |
| (315) 642-2831 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (844) 871-7942 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (850) 846-7425 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (913) 933-3415 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (314) 492-4243 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (530) 806-1900 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (561) 609-3361 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (708) 316-7596 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (844) 386-8588 | 2 | 0.6% |
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.
- (800) 772-1213 stood out as 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.