FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 May 2019
Introduction
On 20 May 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1039 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 197 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 719 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1039
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (719)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (112)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1039 complaints were recorded on 20 May 2019, with reports originating from 681 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 112 | 10.8% |
| Florida | 89 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 89 | 8.6% |
| New York | 71 | 6.8% |
| Colorado | 59 | 5.7% |
| Illinois | 45 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 45 | 4.3% |
| Arizona | 43 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 35 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 406 | 39.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 858 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 858 | 82.6% |
| Internet | 101 | 9.7% |
| TV | 62 | 6.0% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
858 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 719 | 83.8% |
| Billing | 52 | 6.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 22 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.3% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Junk Faxes and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 40.6% |
| Availability | 30 | 29.7% |
| Speed | 14 | 13.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
62 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 58.1% |
| Availability | 17 | 27.4% |
| Indecency | 5 | 8.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 3.2% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.6% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 719 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 69.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (972) 503-2746 | 14 | 1.9% |
| (301) 455-1689 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 275-2273 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 922-0204 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (262) 895-2553 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (325) 400-5756 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (620) 304-2297 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (703) 662-0264 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (708) 614-1847 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.
- (972) 503-2746 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.