FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 August 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1215 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 13 August 2019 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1022 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 725 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1215
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (725)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (130)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1215 complaints were recorded on 13 August 2019, with reports originating from 821 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 | 130 | 10.7% |
| Texas | 104 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 98 | 8.1% |
| New York | 70 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 58 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 46 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 44 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 44 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 537 | 44.2% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 88 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 924 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 924 | 76.0% |
| TV | 146 | 12.0% |
| Internet | 127 | 10.5% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
924 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 725 | 78.5% |
| Billing | 88 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 38 | 4.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
146 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 71 | 48.6% |
| Availability | 51 | 34.9% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 4.1% |
| Indecency | 4 | 2.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
127 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 48 | 37.8% |
| Billing | 43 | 33.9% |
| Interference | 12 | 9.4% |
| Speed | 11 | 8.7% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 725 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 59.7% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (410) 777-8965 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (208) 225-4167 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (339) 201-3294 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 200-8820 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 653-9187 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 902-2840 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 927-6943 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (205) 774-6893 | 1 | 0.1% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (410) 777-8965 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (276) 477-4789 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (281) 532-5475 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (339) 201-3294 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (616) 274-0703 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (620) 765-4062 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (682) 267-3502 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 345-7557 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (410) 777-8965 stood out as both the most frequently reported business contact number and 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.