FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 September 2019

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1146 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 25 September 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1147 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 780 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1146
States & territories reporting
52
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (780)
Most reported state/territory
California (128)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 1146 complaints were recorded on 25 September 2019, with reports originating from 771 cities in 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.

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

State/Territory Complaints
California 128 11.2%
Texas 98 8.6%
Florida 93 8.1%
New York 93 8.1%
Ohio 43 3.8%
Pennsylvania 42 3.7%
Michigan 40 3.5%
Virginia 35 3.1%
Massachusetts 33 2.9%
Wisconsin 33 2.9%
Other states and territories 505 44.1%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 926 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 926 80.8%
Internet 104 9.1%
TV 103 9.0%
Radio 10 0.9%
Accessibility 2 0.2%
Emergency 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

926 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 780 84.2%
Billing 61 6.6%
Equipment 30 3.2%
Availability (including rural call completion) 14 1.5%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 13 1.4%
Junk Faxes 11 1.2%
Interference (including signal jammers) 6 0.6%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 5 0.5%
Privacy 5 0.5%
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.

Internet complaints

104 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 45 43.3%
Availability 36 34.6%
Speed 8 7.7%
Equipment 6 5.8%
Interference 6 5.8%
Privacy 3 2.9%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

TV complaints

103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 51 49.5%
Availability 33 32.0%
Indecency 7 6.8%
Interference 5 4.9%
Loud Commercials 4 3.9%
Equipment 3 2.9%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Unwanted calls

A total of 780 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 68.1% 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
(800) 275-2273 21 2.7%
(719) 452-8970 3 0.4%
(972) 394-7200 3 0.4%
(224) 236-9729 2 0.3%
(305) 356-9999 2 0.3%
(336) 754-9070 2 0.3%
(800) 285-8585 2 0.3%
(800) 692-7753 2 0.3%
(855) 221-3523 2 0.3%
(866) 611-1148 2 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(518) 730-1561 21 2.7%
(719) 452-8970 3 0.4%
(336) 754-9070 2 0.3%
(469) 568-1163 2 0.3%
(555) 555-5555 2 0.3%
(800) 692-7753 2 0.3%
(866) 200-5003 2 0.3%
(203) 239-5198 1 0.1%
(203) 398-8668 1 0.1%
(203) 512-6997 1 0.1%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (518) 730-1561 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • (800) 275-2273 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 26 September 2019 with FCC complaints data from 25 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.