FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 March 2019
Introduction
On 1 March 2019, 1172 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 1163 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 821 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1172
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (821)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (151)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 1 March 2019 show 1172 complaints originating from 740 cities across 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 151 | 12.9% |
| Florida | 91 | 7.8% |
| Texas | 91 | 7.8% |
| New Jersey | 55 | 4.7% |
| New York | 55 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 47 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 43 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 41 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 36 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 511 | 43.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 91 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
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 966 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 966 | 82.4% |
| TV | 83 | 7.1% |
| Internet | 81 | 6.9% |
| Radio | 36 | 3.1% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
966 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 821 | 85.0% |
| Billing | 51 | 5.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 37 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 9 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
TV complaints
83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 47.0% |
| Availability | 13 | 15.7% |
| Indecency | 9 | 10.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.2% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
81 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 37.0% |
| Availability | 15 | 18.5% |
| Speed | 13 | 16.0% |
| Privacy | 9 | 11.1% |
| Interference | 8 | 9.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Radio complaints
36 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | 22 | 61.1% |
| Interference | 7 | 19.4% |
| Availability | 6 | 16.7% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.8% |
Equipment and Interference accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 821 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 70.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (850) 855-4250 | 12 | 1.5% |
| (804) 352-1001 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (405) 588-4525 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (407) 549-1693 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (434) 738-2737 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (520) 603-7140 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (614) 555-6446 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (704) 550-2340 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (785) 717-3006 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (800) 254-5260 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (850) 855-4250 | 13 | 1.6% |
| (804) 352-1001 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (619) 374-1202 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (704) 550-2316 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (785) 717-3006 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (786) 355-6213 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (800) 254-5260 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (800) 342-2383 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (800) 747-7772 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (850) 855-4250 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (850) 855-4250 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.