FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 February 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1262 consumer complaints on 12 February 2019 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1040 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 838 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1262
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (838)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (124)
Where the complaints came from
On 12 February 2019, the 1262 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 815 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Iowa, where Iowa City accounted for 19 of the 31 complaints recorded.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 124 | 9.8% |
| Florida | 91 | 7.2% |
| Texas | 89 | 7.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 77 | 6.1% |
| New York | 67 | 5.3% |
| Illinois | 58 | 4.6% |
| New Jersey | 56 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 45 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.1% |
| Colorado | 38 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 563 | 44.6% |
Location highlight
Iowa City accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Iowa.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1028 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1028 | 81.5% |
| Internet | 107 | 8.5% |
| TV | 107 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
1028 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 838 | 81.5% |
| Billing | 86 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 36.4% |
| Availability | 18 | 16.8% |
| Privacy | 18 | 16.8% |
| Speed | 16 | 15.0% |
| Interference | 9 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Privacy among the most common.
TV complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 53.3% |
| Availability | 20 | 18.7% |
| Indecency | 11 | 10.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 8.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 838 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 66.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (678) 261-5816 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (678) 261-4549 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (214) 210-9505 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (678) 261-5475 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (678) 261-5618 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 275-2273 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 288-2020 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (254) 595-4010 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (570) 483-7055 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (214) 210-9505 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (678) 261-4549 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (678) 261-5475 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (678) 261-5816 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (800) 597-6827 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (805) 637-7456 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (864) 230-3693 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (614) 754-4131 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (732) 226-6924 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (732) 456-5262 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
- (678) 261-5816 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.