FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 December 2018
Introduction
A total of 1143 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 14 December 2018, complaint volume fell from 1239 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 834 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1143
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (834)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (141)
Where the complaints came from
The 1143 complaints recorded on 14 December 2018 originated from 738 cities across 52 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 141 | 12.3% |
| Texas | 81 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 70 | 6.1% |
| New York | 63 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 42 | 3.7% |
| Maryland | 38 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 36 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 35 | 3.1% |
| Washington | 35 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 544 | 47.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 985 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 985 | 86.2% |
| Internet | 73 | 6.4% |
| TV | 66 | 5.8% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
985 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 86.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 834 | 84.7% |
| Billing | 65 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
73 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 45.2% |
| Availability | 12 | 16.4% |
| Speed | 11 | 15.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 8.2% |
| Privacy | 6 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 63.6% |
| Availability | 10 | 15.2% |
| Indecency | 6 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.6% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 834 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 73% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (615) 239-0792 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (323) 599-4416 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (615) 239-1170 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (369) 521-3695 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (623) 745-3827 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (707) 706-4743 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (818) 668-3545 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (916) 273-9499 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (206) 636-1364 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (310) 227-8364 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (888) 964-8070 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (615) 239-0792 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (541) 678-5563 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (615) 239-0671 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (615) 239-1170 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (707) 706-4743 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (916) 273-9499 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (206) 801-1250 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (310) 227-8364 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (323) 599-4416 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (888) 964-8070 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (615) 239-0792 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.