FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 March 2019
Introduction
On Tuesday, 26 March 2019, 1321 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1174 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 992 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1321
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (992)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (171)
Where the complaints came from
The 1321 complaints recorded on 26 March 2019 were submitted from 882 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 171 | 12.9% |
| Texas | 111 | 8.4% |
| New York | 93 | 7.0% |
| Florida | 89 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 67 | 5.1% |
| Ohio | 61 | 4.6% |
| North Carolina | 51 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 49 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 43 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 38 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 546 | 41.3% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 111 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1152 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1152 | 87.2% |
| TV | 73 | 5.5% |
| Internet | 72 | 5.5% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 6 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1152 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 87.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 992 | 86.1% |
| Billing | 62 | 5.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 1.7% |
| Equipment | 17 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
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
73 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 61.6% |
| Availability | 9 | 12.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 11.0% |
| Indecency | 6 | 8.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 4.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 27.8% |
| Speed | 14 | 19.4% |
| Availability | 12 | 16.7% |
| Interference | 11 | 15.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 13.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
Unwanted calls
A total of 992 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 75.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (888) 225-5322 | 12 | 1.2% |
| (267) 371-5489 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (267) 371-5441 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (267) 371-5509 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (850) 280-0056 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (214) 544-7493 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (252) 494-7044 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (252) 494-7047 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (267) 371-5423 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (267) 371-5473 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (850) 280-0056 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (866) 608-1919 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (252) 494-7047 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (267) 371-5500 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (888) 225-5322 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (252) 494-7032 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (252) 494-7044 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (252) 494-7049 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (267) 371-5423 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (267) 371-5473 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (888) 225-5322 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.