FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 October 2019
Introduction
A total of 981 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 4 October 2019, this represented a decline from the 1203 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 592 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 981
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (592)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
The 981 complaints recorded on 4 October 2019 were submitted from 660 cities across 50 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 table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 129 | 13.1% |
| Texas | 80 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 59 | 6.0% |
| New York | 58 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | 45 | 4.6% |
| Arizona | 31 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 31 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 30 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 28 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 436 | 44.4% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 760 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 760 | 77.5% |
| TV | 106 | 10.8% |
| Internet | 100 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
760 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 592 | 77.9% |
| Billing | 61 | 8.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 41 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 30 | 3.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.4% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
106 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 50.0% |
| Availability | 41 | 38.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.7% |
| Indecency | 4 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 1.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 45 | 45.0% |
| Billing | 33 | 33.0% |
| Speed | 10 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.0% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
592 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 60.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (310) 526-8113 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (424) 363-7308 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (619) 329-5515 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (646) 895-6225 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (704) 745-0151 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (800) 275-2273 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (833) 758-7428 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (412) 393-7100 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (508) 644-0324 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 334-7661 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (888) 636-3834 | 7 | 1.2% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (424) 363-7308 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (619) 329-5515 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (646) 895-6225 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (240) 345-3332 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 669-8488 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 819-1682 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (833) 758-7428 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (888) 636-3834 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (310) 526-8113 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.