FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 September 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1116 consumer complaints on 27 September 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1213 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 717 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1116
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (717)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (131)
Where the complaints came from
The 1116 complaints recorded on 27 September 2019 were submitted from 738 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Rhode Island, where Providence accounted for 27 of the 33 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 131 | 11.7% |
| Texas | 121 | 10.8% |
| Florida | 91 | 8.2% |
| New York | 67 | 6.0% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.5% |
| Arizona | 34 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 34 | 3.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 34 | 3.0% |
| Massachusetts | 33 | 3.0% |
| Rhode Island | 33 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 498 | 44.6% |
Location highlight
Providence accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Rhode Island.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 871 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 871 | 78.0% |
| Internet | 111 | 9.9% |
| TV | 111 | 9.9% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
871 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 717 | 82.3% |
| Billing | 51 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 17 | 2.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.6% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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 Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
Internet complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 27.0% |
| Availability | 28 | 25.2% |
| Privacy | 26 | 23.4% |
| Speed | 11 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 9 | 8.1% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Privacy among the most common.
TV complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 45 | 40.5% |
| Billing | 45 | 40.5% |
| Equipment | 10 | 9.0% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.6% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
717 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 64.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (817) 402-8500 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (800) 669-8488 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (209) 215-7894 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (213) 509-6013 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (619) 329-5515 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (626) 463-6223 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 423-4343 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (915) 257-9004 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 210-8103 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 602-2685 | 1 | 0.1% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (817) 402-8500 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (619) 329-5515 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (626) 463-6223 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (209) 215-7894 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (336) 443-9636 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (512) 663-2261 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (662) 452-0005 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (844) 723-4322 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (845) 202-3488 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (915) 257-9004 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (817) 402-8500 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (817) 402-8500 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.