FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 November 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1152 consumer complaints on 30 November 2018 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1260 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 828 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1152
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (828)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (154)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1152 complaints were recorded on 30 November 2018, with reports originating from 772 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 154 | 13.4% |
| Texas | 101 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 78 | 6.8% |
| New York | 61 | 5.3% |
| Ohio | 47 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.5% |
| Wisconsin | 40 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 504 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 975 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 975 | 84.6% |
| TV | 82 | 7.1% |
| Internet | 80 | 6.9% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
975 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 828 | 84.9% |
| Billing | 49 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 26 | 2.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 56.1% |
| Availability | 17 | 20.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 6.1% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 32.5% |
| Availability | 21 | 26.3% |
| Speed | 14 | 17.5% |
| Interference | 11 | 13.8% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Unwanted calls
A total of 828 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 71.9% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (724) 972-0208 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (800) 772-1213 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (724) 972-0081 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (877) 357-5474 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (888) 405-7554 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (302) 462-3153 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (404) 551-3196 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (424) 229-9311 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (509) 293-5777 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (724) 972-0081 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (724) 972-0208 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (510) 556-0199 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (800) 772-1213 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (888) 405-7554 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (800) 804-5473 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (870) 667-0463 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (877) 357-5474 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 738-1616 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (219) 215-1926 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (724) 972-0081 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
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.