FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 May 2019
Introduction
On Wednesday, 15 May 2019, 1144 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1082 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 813 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1144
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (813)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (160)
Where the complaints came from
On 15 May 2019, the 1144 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 739 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 160 | 14.0% |
| Florida | 96 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 93 | 8.1% |
| New York | 77 | 6.7% |
| Illinois | 43 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 40 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 40 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 37 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 36 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 35 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 486 | 42.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 112 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 950 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 950 | 83.0% |
| Internet | 97 | 8.5% |
| TV | 76 | 6.6% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
950 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 813 | 85.6% |
| Billing | 40 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 28 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 2 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 35 | 36.1% |
| Billing | 31 | 32.0% |
| Privacy | 10 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.2% |
| Speed | 8 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.2% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 53.9% |
| Availability | 16 | 21.1% |
| Indecency | 7 | 9.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
813 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 71.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (724) 237-5549 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (404) 382-6759 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (850) 390-4653 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (281) 616-7509 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (307) 235-7890 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (424) 367-2876 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (800) 275-2273 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (202) 360-0917 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 539-7815 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 609-7001 | 1 | 0.1% |
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.
- (724) 237-5549 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.