FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 February 2019
Introduction
On 19 February 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1241 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 837 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 884 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1241
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (884)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (108)
Where the complaints came from
The 1241 complaints recorded on 19 February 2019 were submitted from 773 cities across 52 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 108 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 104 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 85 | 6.8% |
| New York | 67 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 58 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 49 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 47 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 46 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 45 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 41 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 584 | 47.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1033 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1033 | 83.2% |
| Internet | 109 | 8.8% |
| TV | 81 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
1033 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 884 | 85.6% |
| Billing | 64 | 6.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 1.7% |
| Equipment | 15 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Junk Faxes and Equipment.
Internet complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 33.9% |
| Speed | 25 | 22.9% |
| Availability | 22 | 20.2% |
| Interference | 13 | 11.9% |
| Privacy | 9 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.8% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
81 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 49.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 14.8% |
| Availability | 9 | 11.1% |
| Indecency | 9 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Loud Commercials were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 884 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 71.2% 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) 284-2065 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (732) 284-2070 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (732) 284-2072 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (319) 246-8355 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (678) 261-7085 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (732) 284-2036 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (732) 284-2066 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (732) 284-2081 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (239) 256-1300 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (262) 642-7908 | 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.
- (732) 284-2065 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.