FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 August 2026
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1631 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 18 August 2026 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1501 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1631
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (555)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (174)
Where the complaints came from
The 1631 complaints recorded on 18 August 2026 originated from 996 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 174 | 10.7% |
| Texas | 146 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 130 | 8.0% |
| New York | 83 | 5.1% |
| Illinois | 74 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 74 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 62 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 62 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 59 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 51 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 716 | 43.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1278 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1278 | 78.4% |
| Internet | 267 | 16.4% |
| TV | 55 | 3.4% |
| Emergency | 15 | 0.9% |
| Radio | 14 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1278 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 555 | 43.4% |
| Billing | 354 | 27.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 127 | 9.9% |
| Equipment | 80 | 6.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 70 | 5.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 36 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 23 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 16 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 0.8% |
| Rural Call Completion | 7 | 0.5% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
267 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 112 | 41.9% |
| Availability | 71 | 26.6% |
| Interference | 31 | 11.6% |
| Equipment | 24 | 9.0% |
| Speed | 20 | 7.5% |
| Privacy | 9 | 3.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
55 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 34.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 21.8% |
| Availability | 11 | 20.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 10.9% |
| Interference | 4 | 7.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 5.5% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability.
Unwanted calls
A total of 555 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 34% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (321) 395-8702 | 10 | 1.8% |
| (888) 269-4791 | 7 | 1.3% |
| (877) 578-2514 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (833) 333-7518 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (866) 398-3520 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 270-1234 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 250-0986 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 290-9376 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 369-9956 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 390-5847 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Other Services was reported slightly more often than other service types.
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (321) 395-8702 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.