FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 March 2019
Introduction
A total of 1153 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 21 March 2019, this represented a decline from the 1433 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 759 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1153
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (759)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (149)
Where the complaints came from
Across 810 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1153 complaints were recorded on 21 March 2019. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 149 | 12.9% |
| Texas | 90 | 7.8% |
| Illinois | 81 | 7.0% |
| Florida | 78 | 6.8% |
| New York | 63 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 63 | 5.5% |
| New Jersey | 50 | 4.3% |
| Michigan | 42 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 36 | 3.1% |
| Ohio | 33 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 468 | 40.6% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 910 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 910 | 78.9% |
| TV | 130 | 11.3% |
| Internet | 94 | 8.2% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.6% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
910 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 759 | 83.4% |
| Billing | 62 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 18 | 2.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Privacy among the most common.
TV complaints
130 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 45 | 34.6% |
| Billing | 39 | 30.0% |
| Indecency | 19 | 14.6% |
| Interference | 13 | 10.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 4.6% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.3% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 33.0% |
| Availability | 23 | 24.5% |
| Equipment | 12 | 12.8% |
| Speed | 12 | 12.8% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.5% |
| Privacy | 8 | 8.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Equipment among the most common.
Unwanted calls
There were 759 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 65.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (678) 919-3757 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (732) 302-8024 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (678) 919-3535 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (678) 919-3582 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (678) 919-3732 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (678) 919-3524 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (678) 919-3594 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 381-0787 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 405-9528 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (678) 919-3757 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.