FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 October 2019
Introduction
On 9 October 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1136 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1109 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with Texas slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 727 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1136
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (727)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (157)
Where the complaints came from
On 9 October 2019, the 1136 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 710 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 157 | 13.8% |
| California | 90 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 85 | 7.5% |
| New York | 49 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 48 | 4.2% |
| North Carolina | 44 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 35 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 33 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 508 | 44.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 890 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 890 | 78.3% |
| Internet | 122 | 10.7% |
| TV | 110 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 10 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
890 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 727 | 81.7% |
| Billing | 62 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 32 | 3.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
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).
Internet complaints
122 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 44.3% |
| Availability | 43 | 35.2% |
| Speed | 12 | 9.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 44.5% |
| Availability | 42 | 38.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.2% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 2.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 727 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 64% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (330) 481-5770 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (410) 618-1400 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (800) 275-2273 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (833) 781-6874 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (561) 437-1247 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (717) 295-8800 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (717) 353-8682 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 692-7753 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (814) 422-3629 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (817) 928-3130 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.
- (330) 481-5770 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.