FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 September 2019
Introduction
On Tuesday, 3 September 2019, 1165 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 427 complaints recorded 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 711 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1165
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (711)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 3 September 2019 show 1165 complaints originating from 713 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Iowa, where Iowa City accounted for 30 of the 36 complaints recorded.
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 | 128 | 11.0% |
| Texas | 93 | 8.0% |
| Florida | 85 | 7.3% |
| New York | 66 | 5.7% |
| Illinois | 51 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 48 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 38 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 37 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 530 | 45.5% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Iowa originated from Iowa City, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 907 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 907 | 77.9% |
| Internet | 137 | 11.8% |
| TV | 105 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
907 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 711 | 78.4% |
| Billing | 68 | 7.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
137 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 48 | 35.0% |
| Billing | 40 | 29.2% |
| Privacy | 29 | 21.2% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.1% |
| Speed | 5 | 3.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
105 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 53.3% |
| Availability | 27 | 25.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 7.6% |
| Indecency | 2 | 1.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 711 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 61% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (630) 348-9959 | 14 | 2.0% |
| (800) 847-2911 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (256) 418-3452 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (319) 400-7890 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (419) 473-4250 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (678) 884-2938 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (713) 258-7863 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (832) 225-8438 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (949) 288-5760 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 331-5485 | 1 | 0.1% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (630) 348-9959 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.