FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 May 2019
Introduction
On Sunday, 5 May 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 752 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 629 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 47 states and territories, with Tennessee reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 631 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 752
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (631)
- Most reported state/territory
- Tennessee (153)
Where the complaints came from
The 752 complaints recorded on 5 May 2019 were submitted from 458 cities across 47 states and territories. Complaints were less evenly distributed than usual, with Tennessee accounting for the highest proportion of reports. At the city level, no single location accounted for a notable share of complaints.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 153 | 20.3% |
| Texas | 94 | 12.5% |
| New York | 93 | 12.4% |
| Florida | 51 | 6.8% |
| Alabama | 46 | 6.1% |
| California | 32 | 4.3% |
| Mississippi | 30 | 4.0% |
| Maryland | 21 | 2.8% |
| North Carolina | 18 | 2.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 2.3% |
| Other states and territories | 197 | 26.2% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 4 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 672 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 672 | 89.4% |
| Internet | 43 | 5.7% |
| TV | 33 | 4.4% |
| Radio | 4 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
672 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 89.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 631 | 93.9% |
| Billing | 15 | 2.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 1.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 1.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 0.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 22 | 51.2% |
| Billing | 10 | 23.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 11.6% |
| Speed | 5 | 11.6% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.3% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 48.5% |
| Availability | 9 | 27.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 6.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 6.1% |
| Indecency | 1 | 3.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
631 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 83.9% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 8 | 1.3% |
| (232) 210-7504 | 7 | 1.1% |
| (232) 212-0011 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (232) 212-0013 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (232) 212-0019 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (408) 960-0110 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (232) 212-0010 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (232) 212-0017 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (232) 212-0012 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (232) 212-0014 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 7 | 1.1% |
| (232) 212-0017 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (232) 210-7541 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (232) 212-0010 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (408) 960-0110 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (232) 210-0167 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (232) 210-5046 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (232) 212-0011 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 660-0385 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (214) 555-1234 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (555) 555-5555 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (555) 555-5555 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.