FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 February 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 386 consumer complaints on 23 February 2019 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1063 complaints the previous day. Submissions were made from 42 states and territories, with California accounting for the highest number of complaints at 74. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 228 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 386
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (228)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (74)
Where the complaints came from
The 386 complaints recorded on 23 February 2019 originated from 283 cities across 42 states and territories. Compared with most days, complaint activity was more concentrated, with California contributing the largest share of complaints. At the city level, no single location accounted for a notable share of complaints.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 74 | 19.2% |
| Florida | 27 | 7.0% |
| Texas | 26 | 6.7% |
| Michigan | 17 | 4.4% |
| New Jersey | 16 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 4.1% |
| Washington | 16 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 13 | 3.4% |
| Alabama | 12 | 3.1% |
| North Carolina | 12 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 157 | 40.7% |
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 298 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 298 | 77.2% |
| TV | 43 | 11.1% |
| Internet | 36 | 9.3% |
| Radio | 5 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
298 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 228 | 76.5% |
| Billing | 30 | 10.1% |
| Equipment | 15 | 5.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.3% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 22 | 51.2% |
| Indecency | 6 | 14.0% |
| Availability | 4 | 9.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 7.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.3% |
Billing and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
36 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 52.8% |
| Speed | 5 | 13.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 3 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 8.3% |
| Availability | 2 | 5.6% |
Billing and Speed accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
228 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 59.1% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (850) 550-9974 | 17 | 7.5% |
| (512) 309-1319 | 3 | 1.3% |
| (315) 215-0385 | 2 | 0.9% |
| (408) 520-9626 | 2 | 0.9% |
| (800) 342-2383 | 2 | 0.9% |
| (855) 252-8793 | 2 | 0.9% |
| (914) 827-5118 | 2 | 0.9% |
| (202) 836-9574 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (205) 203-9566 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (205) 942-3963 | 1 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (850) 550-9974 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.