FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 February 2019
Introduction
On Friday, 15 February 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1146 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1044 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 849 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1146
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (849)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (119)
Where the complaints came from
On 15 February 2019, the 1146 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 707 cities across 50 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 119 | 10.4% |
| Florida | 93 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 71 | 6.2% |
| New York | 63 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 63 | 5.5% |
| New Jersey | 50 | 4.4% |
| Wisconsin | 47 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 41 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 39 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 511 | 44.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 997 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 997 | 87.0% |
| Internet | 70 | 6.1% |
| TV | 70 | 6.1% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
997 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 87.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 849 | 85.2% |
| Billing | 61 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.4% |
| 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. 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
70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 47.1% |
| Availability | 17 | 24.3% |
| Speed | 7 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 8.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 52.9% |
| Availability | 18 | 25.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.9% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
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 849 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 74.1% 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) 261-7085 | 8 | 0.9% |
| (732) 230-4570 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (702) 577-9787 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (732) 284-2029 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (407) 530-1761 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (678) 261-7082 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (747) 282-2325 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (833) 753-9194 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 629-0378 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (210) 530-1701 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (732) 230-4570 | 7 | 0.8% |
| (678) 261-7085 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (800) 692-7753 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (616) 920-1163 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (678) 261-6457 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (678) 261-7082 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (747) 282-2325 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 629-0378 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (210) 530-1701 | 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) 261-7085 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.