FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 July 2019
Introduction
A total of 1217 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 16 July 2019, this was higher than the 1127 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 756 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1217
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (756)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (104)
Where the complaints came from
Across 789 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1217 complaints were recorded on 16 July 2019. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. 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 | 104 | 8.5% |
| Florida | 91 | 7.5% |
| Texas | 89 | 7.3% |
| New York | 76 | 6.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 64 | 5.3% |
| Washington | 48 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 45 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 42 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 35 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 583 | 47.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 929 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 929 | 76.3% |
| TV | 159 | 13.1% |
| Internet | 118 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
929 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 756 | 81.4% |
| Billing | 63 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 35 | 3.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 3.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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).
TV complaints
159 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 80 | 50.3% |
| Billing | 59 | 37.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.1% |
| Indecency | 5 | 3.1% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 3.1% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 44 | 37.3% |
| Billing | 42 | 35.6% |
| Speed | 12 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.2% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 756 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 62.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (408) 960-0110 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (518) 800-4007 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (866) 887-8997 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (202) 280-2399 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (217) 203-8254 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (276) 212-5093 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (307) 265-7481 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (310) 425-3178 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (315) 583-0062 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (319) 322-2279 | 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.
- (408) 960-0110 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.