FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 February 2019

Introduction

A total of 837 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 18 February 2019, this was higher than the 265 complaints recorded 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 610 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
837
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (610)
Most reported state/territory
California (82)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 837 complaints were recorded on 18 February 2019, with reports originating from 569 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

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 82 9.8%
Florida 76 9.1%
Texas 48 5.7%
Pennsylvania 47 5.6%
North Carolina 35 4.2%
Ohio 33 3.9%
New Jersey 30 3.6%
Illinois 29 3.5%
Maryland 28 3.3%
New York 28 3.3%
Other states and territories 401 47.9%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 4 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 711 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 711 84.9%
Internet 63 7.5%
TV 56 6.7%
Radio 7 0.8%

Phone complaints

711 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 610 85.8%
Billing 38 5.3%
Equipment 21 3.0%
Junk Faxes 12 1.7%
Availability (including rural call completion) 11 1.5%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 7 1.0%
Privacy 5 0.7%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 4 0.6%
Interference (including signal jammers) 3 0.4%

Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Junk Faxes.

Internet complaints

63 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 24 38.1%
Speed 10 15.9%
Privacy 9 14.3%
Availability 8 12.7%
Interference 8 12.7%
Equipment 4 6.3%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Privacy.

TV complaints

56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 26 46.4%
Availability 11 19.6%
Indecency 11 19.6%
Equipment 4 7.1%
Interference 2 3.6%
Loud Commercials 1 1.8%
Privacy 1 1.8%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Unwanted calls

There were 610 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 72.9% 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
(732) 284-2036 5 0.8%
(732) 284-2044 4 0.7%
(619) 374-5407 3 0.5%
(732) 284-2055 3 0.5%
(732) 284-2059 3 0.5%
(800) 692-7753 3 0.5%
(877) 550-1981 3 0.5%
(999) 999-9999 3 0.5%
(201) 337-8002 2 0.3%
(313) 826-0220 2 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(732) 284-2044 7 1.1%
(999) 999-9999 6 1.0%
(732) 284-2041 4 0.7%
(732) 284-2055 3 0.5%
(800) 692-7753 3 0.5%
(201) 337-5851 2 0.3%
(212) 777-0745 2 0.3%
(313) 826-0220 2 0.3%
(610) 940-5207 2 0.3%
(619) 374-5407 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (732) 284-2044 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (732) 284-2036 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 19 February 2019 with FCC complaints data from 18 February 2019.

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.