FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 August 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1477 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 27 August 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1131 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 933 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1477
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (933)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (172)
Where the complaints came from
The 1477 complaints recorded on 27 August 2019 originated from 938 cities across 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 172 | 11.6% |
| Texas | 130 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 112 | 7.6% |
| New York | 85 | 5.8% |
| Ohio | 68 | 4.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 56 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 55 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 50 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 2.8% |
| Georgia | 40 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 650 | 44.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1173 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1173 | 79.4% |
| TV | 149 | 10.1% |
| Internet | 136 | 9.2% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.0% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1173 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 933 | 79.5% |
| Billing | 83 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 42 | 3.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 41 | 3.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 38 | 3.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.6% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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 Junk Faxes.
TV complaints
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 91 | 61.1% |
| Availability | 45 | 30.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.4% |
| Indecency | 3 | 2.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 53 | 39.0% |
| Billing | 53 | 39.0% |
| Speed | 11 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.9% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 933 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 63.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 5 | 0.5% |
| (512) 342-8008 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (888) 587-1368 | 3 | 0.3% |
| (202) 318-5079 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (360) 754-9305 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (415) 630-2859 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (424) 334-6945 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (609) 796-9850 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (618) 948-7040 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (855) 346-6721 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (555) 555-5555 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.