FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 September 2019
Introduction
On Monday, 16 September 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1104 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 280 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 691 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1104
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (691)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (124)
Where the complaints came from
Across 736 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 1104 complaints were recorded on 16 September 2019. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 124 | 11.2% |
| Texas | 97 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 85 | 7.7% |
| New York | 61 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 58 | 5.3% |
| Illinois | 44 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 44 | 4.0% |
| Massachusetts | 37 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 35 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 476 | 43.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 853 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 853 | 77.3% |
| Internet | 129 | 11.7% |
| TV | 110 | 10.0% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
853 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 691 | 81.0% |
| Billing | 65 | 7.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 21 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.2% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
129 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 44.2% |
| Availability | 41 | 31.8% |
| Speed | 16 | 12.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 49.1% |
| Availability | 40 | 36.4% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 2.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
691 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 62.6% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (617) 543-6661 | 8 | 1.2% |
| (202) 717-9063 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (321) 452-0059 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (409) 216-1051 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (410) 782-0252 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (410) 864-8877 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (724) 209-4243 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 275-2273 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 945-2000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 380-6005 | 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.
- (617) 543-6661 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.