FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 August 2019
Introduction
On 12 August 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1022 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 253 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 565 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1022
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (565)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
On 12 August 2019, the 1022 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 698 cities across 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 128 | 12.5% |
| Florida | 77 | 7.5% |
| Texas | 76 | 7.4% |
| New York | 56 | 5.5% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 37 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 32 | 3.1% |
| Virginia | 32 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 30 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 479 | 46.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 740 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 740 | 72.4% |
| TV | 136 | 13.3% |
| Internet | 120 | 11.7% |
| Radio | 22 | 2.2% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
740 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 565 | 76.4% |
| Billing | 63 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 3.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 24 | 3.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 65 | 47.8% |
| Availability | 59 | 43.4% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 2.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.5% |
| Indecency | 1 | 0.7% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 51 | 42.5% |
| Billing | 38 | 31.7% |
| Speed | 11 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.2% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.