FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 February 2019
Introduction
A total of 1250 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 27 February 2019, complaint volume increased from 1248 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 864 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1250
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (864)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (141)
Where the complaints came from
On 27 February 2019, the 1250 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 788 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 141 | 11.3% |
| Texas | 92 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 90 | 7.2% |
| New York | 77 | 6.2% |
| Maryland | 76 | 6.1% |
| Ohio | 63 | 5.0% |
| Washington | 46 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 37 | 3.0% |
| Georgia | 36 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 552 | 44.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1062 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1062 | 85.0% |
| Internet | 89 | 7.1% |
| TV | 87 | 7.0% |
| Radio | 7 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
1062 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 85.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 864 | 81.4% |
| Billing | 90 | 8.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 25 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 0.9% |
| 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 37.1% |
| Availability | 24 | 27.0% |
| Speed | 12 | 13.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 10.1% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 44.8% |
| Availability | 12 | 13.8% |
| Equipment | 12 | 13.8% |
| Indecency | 11 | 12.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 8.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.4% |
Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 864 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 69.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (408) 606-5775 | 9 | 1.0% |
| (859) 495-1022 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (205) 273-1287 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (240) 219-5034 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (240) 781-6157 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (267) 207-2820 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (267) 207-2862 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (267) 207-2868 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (267) 207-2879 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (289) 224-9816 | 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.
- (408) 606-5775 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.