FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 December 2018
Introduction
On 12 December 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1106 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1191 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 805 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1106
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (805)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (138)
Where the complaints came from
Across 727 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1106 complaints were recorded on 12 December 2018. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 138 | 12.5% |
| Texas | 99 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 88 | 8.0% |
| Ohio | 49 | 4.4% |
| New Jersey | 47 | 4.2% |
| North Carolina | 46 | 4.2% |
| New York | 46 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 39 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 34 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 483 | 43.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 943 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 943 | 85.3% |
| Internet | 82 | 7.4% |
| TV | 72 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
943 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 85.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 805 | 85.4% |
| Billing | 52 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 1.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 5 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Junk Faxes.
Internet complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 30.5% |
| Availability | 24 | 29.3% |
| Speed | 12 | 14.6% |
| Equipment | 9 | 11.0% |
| Interference | 7 | 8.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 61.1% |
| Equipment | 10 | 13.9% |
| Availability | 7 | 9.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 9.7% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Equipment, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
805 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 72.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (541) 966-2570 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (607) 873-2194 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (302) 462-3153 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (205) 849-3048 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (315) 823-3454 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (323) 486-4233 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (412) 770-1422 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (484) 668-1366 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (561) 332-1937 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (718) 568-2230 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (541) 966-2570 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (302) 462-3153 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (310) 227-8364 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (412) 770-1422 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (607) 873-2194 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (770) 369-9953 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (888) 964-8070 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (205) 849-3048 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (323) 486-4233 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (323) 840-1469 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (541) 966-2570 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (541) 966-2570 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.