FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 July 2019
Introduction
On 31 July 2019, 1215 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1312 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with Texas reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 790 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1215
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (790)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (119)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 31 July 2019 show 1215 complaints originating from 787 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 119 | 9.8% |
| California | 116 | 9.5% |
| Florida | 70 | 5.8% |
| New York | 67 | 5.5% |
| North Carolina | 54 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 47 | 3.9% |
| Arizona | 46 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 563 | 46.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 961 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 961 | 79.1% |
| TV | 138 | 11.4% |
| Internet | 96 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
961 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 790 | 82.2% |
| Billing | 68 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| 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
138 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 61 | 44.2% |
| Billing | 60 | 43.5% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 2.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.4% |
| Indecency | 1 | 0.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 41 | 42.7% |
| Billing | 34 | 35.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.3% |
| Speed | 7 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
790 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 65% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (260) 579-8171 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (877) 220-7127 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 969-8814 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (570) 399-3268 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (609) 934-1772 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (613) 283-6392 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (619) 937-3568 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 341-8400 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (817) 786-9250 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (260) 579-8171 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (877) 220-7127 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (949) 763-5396 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 969-8814 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (205) 850-1558 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (617) 233-2101 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (617) 861-4968 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (619) 937-3568 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (718) 307-1139 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 341-8400 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (260) 579-8171 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (260) 579-8171 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.