FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 January 2019
Introduction
On Monday, 28 January 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1134 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 329 complaints recorded 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 728 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1134
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (728)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (106)
Where the complaints came from
On 28 January 2019, the 1134 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 736 cities across 51 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 106 | 9.3% |
| Texas | 84 | 7.4% |
| Ohio | 78 | 6.9% |
| Florida | 76 | 6.7% |
| New York | 69 | 6.1% |
| Wisconsin | 61 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 4.9% |
| Michigan | 52 | 4.6% |
| Virginia | 35 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 34 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 484 | 42.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 904 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 904 | 79.7% |
| TV | 130 | 11.5% |
| Internet | 82 | 7.2% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
904 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 728 | 80.5% |
| Billing | 79 | 8.7% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
130 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 75 | 57.7% |
| Availability | 16 | 12.3% |
| Indecency | 13 | 10.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 45.1% |
| Availability | 13 | 15.9% |
| Speed | 10 | 12.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.8% |
| Privacy | 8 | 9.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 728 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 64.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 847-2911 | 8 | 1.1% |
| (614) 532-9743 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (469) 320-0228 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (904) 380-3080 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (203) 516-9457 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (214) 390-2974 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (248) 621-5752 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (248) 885-5008 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (281) 236-9963 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (800) 847-2911 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.