FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 February 2019
Introduction
On Wednesday, 13 February 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1110 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1262 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 738 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1110
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (738)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (117)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1110 complaints were recorded on 13 February 2019, with reports originating from 721 cities in 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 117 | 10.5% |
| Florida | 99 | 8.9% |
| Texas | 72 | 6.5% |
| Illinois | 65 | 5.9% |
| New York | 56 | 5.0% |
| Michigan | 47 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 45 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 38 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 480 | 43.2% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 892 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 892 | 80.4% |
| TV | 103 | 9.3% |
| Internet | 94 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 10 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 9 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
892 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 738 | 82.7% |
| Billing | 69 | 7.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 16 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 56.3% |
| Availability | 20 | 19.4% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.7% |
| Indecency | 8 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 24.5% |
| Speed | 22 | 23.4% |
| Availability | 17 | 18.1% |
| Interference | 13 | 13.8% |
| Equipment | 11 | 11.7% |
| Privacy | 8 | 8.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 738 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 66.5% 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) 261-6003 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (678) 261-6001 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (800) 694-7466 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (478) 419-8001 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (678) 261-5475 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (850) 855-4320 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 495-1166 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (214) 210-9505 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (214) 210-9716 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (678) 261-6001 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (678) 261-6003 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (478) 419-8001 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (850) 855-4320 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (216) 929-5949 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (217) 685-8004 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (301) 760-3315 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (510) 679-1789 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (678) 261-6001 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- Several caller ID numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
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.