FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 April 2019
Introduction
On Thursday, 11 April 2019, 1223 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1214 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 196 complaints. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 941 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1223
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (941)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (196)
Where the complaints came from
Across 787 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1223 complaints were recorded on 11 April 2019. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 196 | 16.0% |
| Texas | 91 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 71 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 45 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 42 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 42 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 39 | 3.2% |
| New York | 39 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 567 | 46.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1070 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1070 | 87.5% |
| TV | 80 | 6.5% |
| Internet | 60 | 4.9% |
| Radio | 10 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1070 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 87.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 941 | 87.9% |
| Billing | 51 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 25 | 2.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 45.0% |
| Availability | 24 | 30.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 10.0% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.0% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 38.3% |
| Availability | 18 | 30.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 10.0% |
| Speed | 6 | 10.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.7% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 941 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 76.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (240) 273-1489 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (732) 361-2288 | 4 | 0.4% |
| (240) 273-1466 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (470) 869-3151 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (240) 273-1490 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (315) 907-0567 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (323) 580-6998 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (480) 409-0686 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (480) 428-8964 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (571) 918-8114 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (240) 273-1489 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.