FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 September 2019
Introduction
A total of 296 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday, 8 September 2019, this represented a decline from the 422 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 43 states and territories, with California accounting for the largest number of submissions at 49 complaints. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 126 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 296
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (126)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (49)
Where the complaints came from
Across 210 cities in 43 states and territories, a total of 296 complaints were recorded on 8 September 2019. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 49 | 16.6% |
| New York | 21 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 18 | 6.1% |
| Texas | 16 | 5.4% |
| Nevada | 14 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 12 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 11 | 3.7% |
| Tennessee | 11 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 10 | 3.4% |
| West Virginia | 10 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 124 | 41.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 163 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 163 | 55.1% |
| Internet | 61 | 20.6% |
| TV | 59 | 19.9% |
| Radio | 12 | 4.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
163 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 55.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 126 | 77.3% |
| Billing | 15 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 2 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.6% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
61 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 31 | 50.8% |
| Billing | 14 | 23.0% |
| Speed | 9 | 14.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.3% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 28 | 47.5% |
| Billing | 15 | 25.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 13.6% |
| Indecency | 4 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.4% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.4% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 126 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 42.6% 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 | 7 | 5.6% |
| (718) 307-1139 | 3 | 2.4% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 2 | 1.6% |
| (208) 231-3862 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (209) 488-1856 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (210) 902-8553 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (212) 433-6951 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (215) 948-5948 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (224) 512-7160 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (281) 451-0321 | 1 | 0.8% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (555) 555-5555 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- 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.