FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 April 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 268 consumer complaints on 20 April 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 800 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 39 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 152 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 268
- States & territories reporting
- 39
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (152)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (48)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 268 complaints were recorded on 20 April 2019, with reports originating from 225 cities in 39 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 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 | 48 | 17.9% |
| Florida | 31 | 11.6% |
| New York | 20 | 7.5% |
| Georgia | 13 | 4.9% |
| New Jersey | 12 | 4.5% |
| Massachusetts | 11 | 4.1% |
| Texas | 10 | 3.7% |
| Maryland | 9 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 9 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 8 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 97 | 36.2% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 4 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 186 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 186 | 69.4% |
| TV | 49 | 18.3% |
| Internet | 26 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 7 | 2.6% |
Phone complaints
186 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 152 | 81.7% |
| Billing | 11 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 11 | 5.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 3 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 2 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.5% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
49 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 32.7% |
| Availability | 14 | 28.6% |
| Billing | 14 | 28.6% |
| Indecency | 4 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Loud Commercials and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 152 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 56.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 499-3539 | 5 | 3.3% |
| (424) 396-6919 | 2 | 1.3% |
| (845) 215-6980 | 2 | 1.3% |
| (205) 352-4580 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (205) 995-9295 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (210) 293-5933 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (215) 634-3493 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (218) 380-2142 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (229) 658-6800 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (240) 273-1920 | 1 | 0.7% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (800) 499-3539 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.