FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 October 2024
Introduction
On Friday, 18 October 2024, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1166 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1315 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 498 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1166
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (498)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (108)
Where the complaints came from
The 1166 complaints recorded on 18 October 2024 were submitted from 737 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 108 | 9.3% |
| Texas | 93 | 8.0% |
| Florida | 91 | 7.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 57 | 4.9% |
| New York | 50 | 4.3% |
| Michigan | 47 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 46 | 3.9% |
| Arizona | 45 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 545 | 46.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 760 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 760 | 65.2% |
| Internet | 206 | 17.7% |
| TV | 174 | 14.9% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
760 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 498 | 65.5% |
| Billing | 99 | 13.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 64 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 45 | 5.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 2.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
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
206 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 77 | 37.4% |
| Billing | 69 | 33.5% |
| Speed | 22 | 10.7% |
| Equipment | 19 | 9.2% |
| Interference | 10 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 9 | 4.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
174 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 104 | 59.8% |
| Availability | 35 | 20.1% |
| Billing | 14 | 8.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 498 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 42.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (877) 849-3486 | 7 | 1.4% |
| (877) 714-1042 | 6 | 1.2% |
| (866) 659-0805 | 4 | 0.8% |
| (877) 941-1106 | 4 | 0.8% |
| (216) 405-0305 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (254) 903-8163 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (866) 659-6972 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (866) 786-0816 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (202) 771-2852 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 984-2648 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Other Services was reported slightly more often than other service types.
- Text Message was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (877) 849-3486 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- 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.