FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 May 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1006 consumer complaints on 24 May 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1091 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 714 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1006
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (714)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (148)
Where the complaints came from
On 24 May 2019, the 1006 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 677 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 148 | 14.7% |
| Texas | 87 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 84 | 8.3% |
| New York | 76 | 7.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 59 | 5.9% |
| Ohio | 54 | 5.4% |
| Illinois | 41 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 37 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 27 | 2.7% |
| Massachusetts | 27 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 365 | 36.3% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 94 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 829 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 829 | 82.4% |
| Internet | 88 | 8.7% |
| TV | 79 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
829 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 714 | 86.1% |
| Billing | 46 | 5.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 12 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.2% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
88 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 38.6% |
| Availability | 23 | 26.1% |
| Speed | 12 | 13.6% |
| Privacy | 7 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
79 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 53.2% |
| Availability | 22 | 27.8% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.3% |
| Indecency | 4 | 5.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 5.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 714 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 71% 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 business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (620) 244-4133 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (484) 202-0926 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (855) 623-5293 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 702-8039 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (225) 230-0996 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (601) 793-4566 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (610) 203-0536 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 467-5499 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (555) 555-5555 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.