FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 October 2019
Introduction
On 31 October 2019, 1095 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1111 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 699 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1095
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (699)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (146)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1095 complaints were recorded on 31 October 2019, with reports originating from 715 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 146 | 13.3% |
| Florida | 104 | 9.5% |
| Texas | 77 | 7.0% |
| Washington | 49 | 4.5% |
| New York | 48 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 36 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 33 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 33 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 489 | 44.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 92 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 846 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 846 | 77.3% |
| TV | 115 | 10.5% |
| Internet | 112 | 10.2% |
| Emergency | 13 | 1.2% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
846 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 699 | 82.6% |
| Billing | 46 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 52.2% |
| Availability | 31 | 27.0% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.8% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 46.4% |
| Availability | 38 | 33.9% |
| Interference | 9 | 8.0% |
| Speed | 6 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
699 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 63.8% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (888) 636-3834 | 9 | 1.3% |
| (817) 769-2745 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 710-7250 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (302) 927-8140 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (610) 403-9085 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (702) 643-1258 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (850) 344-9025 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 200-3213 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 200-6879 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 756-4608 | 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.
- 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.