FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 March 2019
Introduction
On Friday, 15 March 2019, 1203 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1299 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 822 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1203
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (822)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (126)
Where the complaints came from
Across 831 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1203 complaints were recorded on 15 March 2019. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 | 126 | 10.5% |
| Florida | 94 | 7.8% |
| Texas | 93 | 7.7% |
| New York | 87 | 7.2% |
| Illinois | 86 | 7.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 4.6% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 43 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 39 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 497 | 41.3% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 87 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 960 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 960 | 79.8% |
| TV | 147 | 12.2% |
| Internet | 75 | 6.2% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
960 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 822 | 85.6% |
| Billing | 60 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 0.4% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
147 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 61 | 41.5% |
| Billing | 45 | 30.6% |
| Equipment | 15 | 10.2% |
| Indecency | 15 | 10.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 23 | 30.7% |
| Billing | 16 | 21.3% |
| Speed | 13 | 17.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 10.7% |
| Interference | 8 | 10.7% |
| Privacy | 7 | 9.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Billing and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
822 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 68.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (832) 510-7217 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (914) 967-5300 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (310) 402-2321 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (561) 240-6145 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (609) 250-9180 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (800) 549-2568 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (850) 374-5827 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (850) 601-9023 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (866) 404-2346 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (872) 204-2695 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (402) 382-4288 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (270) 293-5919 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (252) 494-2159 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (310) 402-2321 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (410) 508-9632 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (802) 369-1082 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (850) 601-9023 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (866) 404-2346 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (866) 537-3838 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (402) 382-4288 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (832) 510-7217 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.