FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 May 2019
Introduction
On 6 May 2019, 1845 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 752 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with Tennessee slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 1474 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1845
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1474)
- Most reported state/territory
- Tennessee (351)
Where the complaints came from
The 1845 complaints recorded on 6 May 2019 were submitted from 1037 cities across 50 states and territories. Compared with most days, complaint activity was more concentrated, with Tennessee contributing the largest share of complaints. 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 | 351 | 19.0% |
| Texas | 184 | 10.0% |
| New York | 133 | 7.2% |
| California | 131 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 126 | 6.8% |
| Georgia | 64 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 61 | 3.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 2.6% |
| Maryland | 46 | 2.5% |
| Ohio | 44 | 2.4% |
| Other states and territories | 653 | 35.4% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1638 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1638 | 88.8% |
| Internet | 111 | 6.0% |
| TV | 77 | 4.2% |
| Radio | 16 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
1638 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 88.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1474 | 90.0% |
| Billing | 64 | 3.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 1.7% |
| Equipment | 27 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 8 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.3% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 43 | 38.7% |
| Billing | 40 | 36.0% |
| Speed | 14 | 12.6% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 54.5% |
| Availability | 21 | 27.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.9% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 1474 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 79.9% 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 caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 17 | 1.2% |
| (232) 212-0010 | 8 | 0.5% |
| (232) 212-0013 | 5 | 0.3% |
| (232) 212-0017 | 5 | 0.3% |
| (232) 212-0018 | 5 | 0.3% |
| (232) 210-7541 | 4 | 0.3% |
| (232) 212-0012 | 4 | 0.3% |
| (518) 288-5015 | 4 | 0.3% |
| (232) 212-0019 | 3 | 0.2% |
| (424) 396-6919 | 3 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 14 | 0.9% |
| (232) 212-0010 | 8 | 0.5% |
| (232) 212-0011 | 4 | 0.3% |
| (232) 210-7541 | 3 | 0.2% |
| (818) 396-3265 | 3 | 0.2% |
| (214) 767-5220 | 2 | 0.1% |
| (217) 909-4421 | 2 | 0.1% |
| (232) 212-0001 | 2 | 0.1% |
| (232) 212-0012 | 2 | 0.1% |
| (232) 212-0017 | 2 | 0.1% |
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 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.