FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 October 2019
Introduction
A total of 1172 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 2 October 2019, complaint volume increased from 1111 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 778 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1172
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (778)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (133)
Where the complaints came from
On 2 October 2019, the 1172 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 776 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 133 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 85 | 7.3% |
| Texas | 77 | 6.6% |
| New York | 67 | 5.7% |
| Ohio | 57 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 3.7% |
| Wisconsin | 42 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 38 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 532 | 45.4% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 942 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 942 | 80.4% |
| TV | 109 | 9.3% |
| Internet | 101 | 8.6% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
942 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 778 | 82.6% |
| Billing | 65 | 6.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 55.0% |
| Availability | 26 | 23.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.3% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.7% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 45.5% |
| Availability | 33 | 32.7% |
| Speed | 7 | 6.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 778 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 66.4% 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) 945-2000 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (800) 275-2273 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (281) 985-9574 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (319) 478-8471 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (641) 510-4222 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 732-9194 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 419-7365 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (877) 729-1610 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (984) 711-2200 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 710-7244 | 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.
- (800) 945-2000 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.