FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 March 2019

Introduction

On 27 March 2019, 1410 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 1321 complaints 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 1044 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1410
States & territories reporting
52
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (1044)
Most reported state/territory
California (161)

Where the complaints came from

The 1410 complaints recorded on 27 March 2019 originated from 894 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

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 161 11.4%
Florida 115 8.2%
Texas 110 7.8%
New York 78 5.5%
Pennsylvania 65 4.6%
Ohio 56 4.0%
Michigan 54 3.8%
North Carolina 50 3.5%
Virginia 42 3.0%
Colorado 37 2.6%
Other states and territories 638 45.2%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1198 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1198 85.0%
TV 103 7.3%
Internet 89 6.3%
Radio 14 1.0%
Emergency 5 0.4%
Accessibility 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

1198 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 85.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 1044 87.1%
Billing 67 5.6%
Availability (including rural call completion) 22 1.8%
Equipment 19 1.6%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 12 1.0%
Privacy 10 0.8%
Junk Faxes 9 0.8%
Interference (including signal jammers) 8 0.7%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 6 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

TV complaints

103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 64 62.1%
Availability 19 18.4%
Indecency 8 7.8%
Equipment 6 5.8%
Loud Commercials 5 4.9%
Privacy 1 1.0%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Internet complaints

89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 38 42.7%
Availability 24 27.0%
Speed 13 14.6%
Privacy 8 9.0%
Interference 5 5.6%
Equipment 1 1.1%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Unwanted calls

1044 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 74% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(949) 506-5913 8 0.8%
(555) 555-5555 7 0.7%
(267) 756-2052 4 0.4%
(267) 756-2056 3 0.3%
(888) 414-2430 3 0.3%
(951) 439-7002 3 0.3%
(202) 393-9624 2 0.2%
(213) 784-7173 2 0.2%
(267) 756-2036 2 0.2%
(267) 756-2081 2 0.2%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (949) 506-5913 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
Page last updated: 28 March 2019 with FCC complaints data from 27 March 2019.

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.