FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 January 2019
Introduction
On Thursday, 31 January 2019, 1323 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 1304 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 864 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1323
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (864)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (168)
Where the complaints came from
The 1323 complaints recorded on 31 January 2019 originated from 827 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Idaho, where Nampa accounted for 22 of the 30 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 168 | 12.7% |
| Texas | 103 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 84 | 6.3% |
| New York | 76 | 5.7% |
| Ohio | 76 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 49 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 47 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 40 | 3.0% |
| Michigan | 38 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 578 | 43.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Idaho were heavily concentrated in Nampa, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1069 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1069 | 80.8% |
| Internet | 118 | 8.9% |
| TV | 117 | 8.8% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1069 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 864 | 80.8% |
| Billing | 90 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 34 | 3.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 28.8% |
| Availability | 28 | 23.7% |
| Speed | 21 | 17.8% |
| Interference | 15 | 12.7% |
| Equipment | 11 | 9.3% |
| Privacy | 9 | 7.6% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 53.8% |
| Availability | 20 | 17.1% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.7% |
| Indecency | 8 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
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 864 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 65.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (503) 852-1574 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (434) 471-4050 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (202) 659-0993 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (208) 656-6219 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (415) 840-8970 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (434) 471-4014 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (434) 471-4032 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (434) 471-4045 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (702) 273-3350 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (706) 749-1361 | 2 | 0.2% |
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.
- (503) 852-1574 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.