FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 March 2019
Introduction
On 8 March 2019, 1094 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1240 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 757 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1094
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (757)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (110)
Where the complaints came from
The 1094 complaints recorded on 8 March 2019 were submitted from 725 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 110 | 10.1% |
| Florida | 86 | 7.9% |
| Ohio | 63 | 5.8% |
| North Carolina | 62 | 5.7% |
| New York | 59 | 5.4% |
| Texas | 59 | 5.4% |
| Georgia | 49 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 472 | 43.1% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 83 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 898 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 898 | 82.1% |
| TV | 106 | 9.7% |
| Internet | 65 | 5.9% |
| Radio | 22 | 2.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
898 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 757 | 84.3% |
| Billing | 49 | 5.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.2% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
106 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 44.3% |
| Availability | 18 | 17.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 13.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 9.4% |
| Indecency | 10 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 38.5% |
| Availability | 19 | 29.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 12.3% |
| Privacy | 6 | 9.2% |
| Speed | 6 | 9.2% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 757 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 69.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 945-2000 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (704) 550-2968 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (704) 550-2972 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (301) 314-9500 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (323) 487-0321 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (330) 271-6760 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (513) 943-7890 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (523) 456-9458 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (561) 899-9447 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (702) 968-4144 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.
- (800) 945-2000 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.