FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 March 2019
Introduction
A total of 1201 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 11 March 2019, complaint volume increased from 240 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 838 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1201
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (838)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (139)
Where the complaints came from
Across 771 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1201 complaints were recorded on 11 March 2019. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 139 | 11.6% |
| Florida | 93 | 7.7% |
| Texas | 91 | 7.6% |
| New York | 74 | 6.2% |
| Illinois | 61 | 5.1% |
| New Jersey | 50 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 34 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 521 | 43.4% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 99 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1017 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1017 | 84.7% |
| TV | 90 | 7.5% |
| Internet | 80 | 6.7% |
| Radio | 10 | 0.8% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1017 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 838 | 82.4% |
| Billing | 73 | 7.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 28 | 2.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 9 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 58.9% |
| Equipment | 16 | 17.8% |
| Availability | 7 | 7.8% |
| Indecency | 5 | 5.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Equipment were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 30.0% |
| Speed | 17 | 21.3% |
| Availability | 14 | 17.5% |
| Equipment | 10 | 12.5% |
| Interference | 9 | 11.3% |
| Privacy | 6 | 7.5% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
Unwanted calls
There were 838 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 69.8% 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 business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (704) 550-3088 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (347) 434-9310 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (704) 550-3041 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (704) 550-3093 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (888) 496-9407 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (216) 350-7529 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (601) 463-9855 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (704) 550-2932 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (704) 550-3070 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (704) 550-3088 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.