FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 October 2019
Introduction
A total of 1156 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, 22 October 2019, complaint volume increased from 1004 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 674 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1156
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (674)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (135)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1156 complaints were recorded on 22 October 2019, with reports originating from 778 cities in 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 135 | 11.7% |
| Texas | 114 | 9.9% |
| Florida | 89 | 7.7% |
| New York | 59 | 5.1% |
| Illinois | 53 | 4.6% |
| North Carolina | 47 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 37 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 37 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 32 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 505 | 43.7% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 84 different cities.
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 | 75.3% |
| TV | 143 | 12.4% |
| Internet | 115 | 9.9% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.6% |
| Accessibility | 7 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
871 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 674 | 77.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 63 | 7.2% |
| Billing | 62 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
TV complaints
143 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 70 | 49.0% |
| Availability | 40 | 28.0% |
| Indecency | 14 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 42 | 36.5% |
| Billing | 40 | 34.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.7% |
| Privacy | 10 | 8.7% |
| Speed | 10 | 8.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
674 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 58.3% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (888) 636-3834 | 9 | 1.3% |
| (206) 565-2056 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (315) 231-6845 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (415) 636-6914 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (469) 200-1467 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (740) 251-0170 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 366-2616 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (888) 798-9756 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 230-1171 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 345-4785 | 1 | 0.1% |
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.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.