FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 March 2019
Introduction
A total of 1472 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, 12 March 2019, this was higher than the 1201 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 1037 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1472
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1037)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (142)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1472 complaints were recorded on 12 March 2019, with reports originating from 917 cities in 52 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant 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 | 142 | 9.6% |
| Texas | 135 | 9.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 94 | 6.4% |
| Ohio | 91 | 6.2% |
| Florida | 82 | 5.6% |
| New York | 74 | 5.0% |
| Illinois | 58 | 3.9% |
| Arizona | 55 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 53 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 52 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 627 | 42.6% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 1218 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1218 | 82.7% |
| TV | 107 | 7.3% |
| Internet | 98 | 6.7% |
| Radio | 47 | 3.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1218 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1037 | 85.1% |
| Billing | 72 | 5.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.0% |
| Equipment | 22 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 17 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 61 | 57.0% |
| Availability | 17 | 15.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 8.4% |
| Indecency | 8 | 7.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 34.7% |
| Availability | 18 | 18.4% |
| Privacy | 14 | 14.3% |
| Interference | 12 | 12.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.2% |
| Speed | 10 | 10.2% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Privacy.
Radio complaints
47 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 34 | 72.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 9 | 19.1% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.1% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
1037 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 70.4% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (844) 382-4227 | 7 | 0.7% |
| (704) 550-3153 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (704) 550-3146 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (704) 550-3162 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (704) 550-3205 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (704) 550-3216 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (704) 550-3233 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (704) 550-3121 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (704) 550-3140 | 3 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (704) 550-3153 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (704) 550-3205 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (704) 550-3146 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (704) 550-3166 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (704) 550-3233 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (707) 404-3592 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (850) 601-9023 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (888) 414-2430 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (404) 418-7205 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
- (844) 382-4227 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.