FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 July 2019

Introduction

On Wednesday, 17 July 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1254 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1217 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 859 complaints recorded.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1254
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (859)
Most reported state/territory
California (135)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 1254 complaints were recorded on 17 July 2019, with reports originating from 804 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 135 10.8%
Texas 111 8.9%
Florida 109 8.7%
New York 78 6.2%
Ohio 53 4.2%
Pennsylvania 49 3.9%
Virginia 44 3.5%
Michigan 41 3.3%
Illinois 40 3.2%
Arizona 38 3.0%
Other states and territories 555 44.3%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1016 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 1016 81.0%
TV 123 9.8%
Internet 101 8.1%
Radio 13 1.0%
Accessibility 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

1016 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 859 84.5%
Billing 58 5.7%
Availability (including rural call completion) 35 3.4%
Equipment 24 2.4%
Junk Faxes 13 1.3%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 9 0.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 6 0.6%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 5 0.5%
Privacy 5 0.5%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 2 0.2%

As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.

TV complaints

123 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 52 42.3%
Billing 49 39.8%
Indecency 7 5.7%
Loud Commercials 6 4.9%
Interference 4 3.3%
Privacy 3 2.4%
Equipment 2 1.6%

Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Internet complaints

101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 36 35.6%
Billing 35 34.7%
Speed 14 13.9%
Interference 8 7.9%
Equipment 6 5.9%
Privacy 2 2.0%

Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Unwanted calls

859 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 68.5% 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
(310) 857-6812 5 0.6%
(206) 388-4117 2 0.2%
(303) 238-5263 2 0.2%
(408) 960-0110 2 0.2%
(646) 685-8865 2 0.2%
(646) 757-1592 2 0.2%
(800) 275-2273 2 0.2%
(800) 903-3637 2 0.2%
(815) 534-4472 2 0.2%
(855) 663-9489 2 0.2%

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.
  • (310) 857-6812 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 18 July 2019 with FCC complaints data from 17 July 2019.

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.