FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 April 2019
Introduction
On 4 April 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1291 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1230 complaints recorded the day before. 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 940 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1291
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (940)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (174)
Where the complaints came from
On 4 April 2019, the 1291 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 839 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 174 | 13.5% |
| Florida | 109 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 107 | 8.3% |
| New York | 61 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 54 | 4.2% |
| Michigan | 51 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 49 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 34 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 549 | 42.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1081 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1081 | 83.7% |
| TV | 100 | 7.7% |
| Internet | 92 | 7.1% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1081 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 940 | 87.0% |
| Billing | 54 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 25 | 2.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 8 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| 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 Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 49.0% |
| Availability | 25 | 25.0% |
| Indecency | 10 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 9 | 9.0% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 35.9% |
| Availability | 30 | 32.6% |
| Speed | 14 | 15.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 940 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 72.8% 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 caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (484) 667-2100 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (484) 667-2099 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (978) 263-7890 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (225) 480-2002 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (310) 633-2670 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (484) 667-2079 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (888) 397-3742 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (888) 496-9407 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (908) 991-6490 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 852-7414 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (484) 667-2100 | 6 | 0.6% |
| (484) 667-2079 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (484) 667-2099 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (760) 266-4451 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (866) 298-8025 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (908) 991-6490 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 873-2578 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (240) 273-1182 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (256) 887-9199 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (323) 425-3988 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (484) 667-2100 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (484) 667-2100 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.