FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 March 2019
Introduction
A total of 1174 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 25 March 2019, this represented an increase from the 315 complaints recorded the previous day. 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 798 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1174
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (798)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (146)
Where the complaints came from
The 1174 complaints recorded on 25 March 2019 were submitted from 770 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 146 | 12.4% |
| Texas | 104 | 8.9% |
| Florida | 85 | 7.2% |
| New York | 82 | 7.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 58 | 4.9% |
| Ohio | 54 | 4.6% |
| Michigan | 48 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 475 | 40.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 97 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 976 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 976 | 83.1% |
| Internet | 93 | 7.9% |
| TV | 91 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.8% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
976 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 798 | 81.8% |
| Billing | 64 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 21 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 13 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 40.9% |
| Availability | 19 | 20.4% |
| Interference | 11 | 11.8% |
| Privacy | 10 | 10.8% |
| Speed | 9 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.5% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 56.0% |
| Availability | 17 | 18.7% |
| Equipment | 11 | 12.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.3% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 798 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 68% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (559) 674-4514 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (267) 371-5446 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (267) 371-5416 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (877) 611-1213 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (267) 371-5400 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (267) 371-5427 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (267) 371-5450 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (404) 978-8978 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (530) 464-6645 | 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.
- (559) 674-4514 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.