FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 September 2019

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1209 consumer complaints on 18 September 2019 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1194 complaints 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 810 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1209
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (810)
Most reported state/territory
California (140)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 1209 complaints were recorded on 18 September 2019, with reports originating from 824 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.

State/Territory Complaints
California 140 11.6%
Florida 99 8.2%
Texas 99 8.2%
New York 73 6.0%
Illinois 58 4.8%
North Carolina 48 4.0%
Pennsylvania 45 3.7%
Ohio 43 3.6%
Arizona 35 2.9%
Georgia 33 2.7%
Other states and territories 534 44.2%

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 987 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 987 81.6%
TV 107 8.9%
Internet 103 8.5%
Radio 8 0.7%
Emergency 3 0.2%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

987 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 810 82.1%
Billing 60 6.1%
Equipment 36 3.6%
Availability (including rural call completion) 31 3.1%
Junk Faxes 16 1.6%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 12 1.2%
Privacy 8 0.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 7 0.7%
Interference (including signal jammers) 6 0.6%
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).

TV complaints

107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 59 55.1%
Availability 28 26.2%
Loud Commercials 10 9.3%
Interference 4 3.7%
Equipment 3 2.8%
Indecency 2 1.9%
Privacy 1 0.9%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Internet complaints

103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 53 51.5%
Billing 31 30.1%
Speed 9 8.7%
Equipment 5 4.9%
Interference 3 2.9%
Privacy 2 1.9%

Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Unwanted calls

A total of 810 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 67% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.

Most reported caller ID numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(630) 348-9959 9 1.1%
(310) 956-4292 4 0.5%
(210) 774-4059 2 0.2%
(305) 234-4565 2 0.2%
(410) 929-7676 2 0.2%
(469) 294-9697 2 0.2%
(626) 877-0752 2 0.2%
(646) 583-1980 2 0.2%
(719) 452-8970 2 0.2%
(800) 275-2273 2 0.2%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(310) 956-4292 5 0.6%
(208) 262-0000 2 0.2%
(210) 529-7014 2 0.2%
(385) 220-2031 2 0.2%
(410) 929-7676 2 0.2%
(469) 202-8841 2 0.2%
(469) 294-9697 2 0.2%
(555) 555-5555 2 0.2%
(646) 583-1980 2 0.2%
(719) 452-8970 2 0.2%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (310) 956-4292 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • (630) 348-9959 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 19 September 2019 with FCC complaints data from 18 September 2019.

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.