FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 October 2019
Introduction
A total of 920 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 28 October 2019, complaint volume increased from 242 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 530 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 920
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (530)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (97)
Where the complaints came from
The 920 complaints recorded on 28 October 2019 originated from 636 cities across 49 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Rhode Island, where Providence accounted for 24 of the 32 complaints recorded.
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 | 97 | 10.5% |
| Florida | 75 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 75 | 8.2% |
| New York | 54 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 4.7% |
| Virginia | 34 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 32 | 3.5% |
| Rhode Island | 32 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 30 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 29 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 418 | 45.4% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Rhode Island originated from Providence, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 672 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 672 | 73.0% |
| Internet | 134 | 14.6% |
| TV | 99 | 10.8% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
672 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 530 | 78.9% |
| Billing | 50 | 7.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 22 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.9% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
134 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 42 | 31.3% |
| Billing | 40 | 29.9% |
| Privacy | 30 | 22.4% |
| Equipment | 11 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 10 | 7.5% |
| Speed | 1 | 0.7% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 54.5% |
| Availability | 32 | 32.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 8.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.0% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
530 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 57.6% 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 | 1.7% |
| (619) 365-9214 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (985) 221-7330 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 701-7247 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 245-2461 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 335-9279 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 803-9167 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 918-4705 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 587-8944 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 630-5801 | 1 | 0.2% |
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.