FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 July 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1291 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 24 July 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1313 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 868 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1291
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (868)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (168)
Where the complaints came from
On 24 July 2019, the 1291 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 835 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 168 | 13.0% |
| Texas | 127 | 9.8% |
| Florida | 105 | 8.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 72 | 5.6% |
| New York | 64 | 5.0% |
| Ohio | 61 | 4.7% |
| Virginia | 46 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 45 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 39 | 3.0% |
| Illinois | 38 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 524 | 40.6% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 114 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1033 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1033 | 80.0% |
| TV | 125 | 9.7% |
| Internet | 114 | 8.8% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1033 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 868 | 84.0% |
| Billing | 50 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 19 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 56 | 44.8% |
| Billing | 56 | 44.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.2% |
| Indecency | 4 | 3.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.2% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.8% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 39.5% |
| Availability | 35 | 30.7% |
| Privacy | 13 | 11.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.0% |
| Speed | 8 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.4% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 868 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 67.2% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 269-5555 | 9 | 1.0% |
| (866) 288-5775 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (617) 595-3532 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (800) 888-7711 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (866) 844-3223 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (279) 777-1394 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (337) 600-1449 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (407) 535-6989 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (410) 204-2821 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (415) 798-2039 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (800) 269-5555 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.