FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 October 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1034 consumer complaints on 23 October 2019 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1156 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 670 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1034
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (670)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (114)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1034 complaints were recorded on 23 October 2019, with reports originating from 704 cities in 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 114 | 11.0% |
| Texas | 98 | 9.5% |
| Florida | 86 | 8.3% |
| New York | 50 | 4.8% |
| Illinois | 47 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 41 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 35 | 3.4% |
| Massachusetts | 31 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 450 | 43.5% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 816 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 816 | 78.9% |
| Internet | 116 | 11.2% |
| TV | 90 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
816 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 670 | 82.1% |
| Billing | 59 | 7.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 17 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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.
Internet complaints
116 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 40.5% |
| Availability | 40 | 34.5% |
| Speed | 16 | 13.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 51.1% |
| Availability | 31 | 34.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.4% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.2% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
670 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 64.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (949) 591-8607 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (717) 240-9138 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (717) 696-6117 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (800) 275-2273 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (360) 839-2495 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (469) 449-8671 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (561) 810-2385 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (717) 823-1634 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (954) 388-8078 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 804-9146 | 1 | 0.1% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (888) 636-3834 | 8 | 1.2% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (508) 453-0911 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (206) 565-2056 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (360) 839-2495 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (469) 447-9748 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (520) 208-6931 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (877) 743-7115 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 318-2281 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 918-1938 | 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.
- (949) 591-8607 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.