FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 March 2019
Introduction
On Monday, 4 March 2019, 1109 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 268 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 703 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1109
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (703)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (127)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1109 complaints were recorded on 4 March 2019, with reports originating from 761 cities in 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 127 | 11.5% |
| Texas | 88 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 84 | 7.6% |
| New York | 77 | 6.9% |
| Ohio | 55 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 4.8% |
| Virginia | 41 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 37 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 35 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 473 | 42.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 885 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 885 | 79.8% |
| TV | 126 | 11.4% |
| Internet | 82 | 7.4% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
885 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 703 | 79.4% |
| Billing | 74 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
126 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 50.0% |
| Availability | 30 | 23.8% |
| Equipment | 13 | 10.3% |
| Indecency | 8 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 42.7% |
| Availability | 16 | 19.5% |
| Speed | 15 | 18.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.4% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
703 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 63.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (615) 239-1903 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (800) 747-7774 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (888) 496-9407 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (270) 280-9782 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (284) 341-1910 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (563) 412-2513 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (615) 239-2247 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (615) 239-2252 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (650) 694-9868 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (773) 869-0925 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (615) 239-1903 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- 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.