FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 August 2019
Introduction
On 2 August 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1158 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1163 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 815 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1158
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (815)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (135)
Where the complaints came from
On 2 August 2019, the 1158 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 751 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 11.7% |
| Texas | 92 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 78 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 56 | 4.8% |
| New York | 48 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 47 | 4.1% |
| Washington | 44 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 34 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 545 | 47.1% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 89 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 933 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 933 | 80.6% |
| TV | 127 | 11.0% |
| Internet | 90 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
933 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 815 | 87.4% |
| Billing | 46 | 4.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.1% |
| Equipment | 18 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
127 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 63 | 49.6% |
| Billing | 52 | 40.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.4% |
| Indecency | 2 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 34 | 37.8% |
| Billing | 29 | 32.2% |
| Speed | 15 | 16.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.2% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 815 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 70.4% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (614) 999-1245 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (570) 399-3268 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (816) 701-1445 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (346) 998-5934 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (539) 666-3157 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (573) 283-0194 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (617) 472-5112 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (701) 368-7984 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (718) 530-0965 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (800) 275-2273 | 2 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (206) 565-2056 | 7 | 0.9% |
| (817) 786-9252 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (614) 999-1245 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (833) 711-1988 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (845) 712-9375 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (320) 216-7293 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (346) 998-5934 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (539) 666-3157 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (614) 999-1242 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (206) 565-2056 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (614) 999-1245 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.