FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 November 2019
Introduction
On 4 November 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 983 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 253 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with Texas reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 606 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 983
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (606)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (98)
Where the complaints came from
On 4 November 2019, the 983 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 671 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 98 | 10.0% |
| California | 86 | 8.7% |
| Florida | 73 | 7.4% |
| New York | 53 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 42 | 4.3% |
| New Jersey | 41 | 4.2% |
| Michigan | 40 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 32 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 433 | 44.0% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 753 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 753 | 76.6% |
| TV | 109 | 11.1% |
| Internet | 108 | 11.0% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
753 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 606 | 80.5% |
| Billing | 48 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 30 | 4.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 3.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 54.1% |
| Availability | 31 | 28.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.3% |
| Indecency | 4 | 3.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 48 | 44.4% |
| Billing | 40 | 37.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.6% |
| Speed | 5 | 4.6% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.7% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 606 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 61.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (727) 800-7043 | 10 | 1.7% |
| (800) 275-2273 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (202) 572-1460 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (310) 597-4842 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (361) 865-0022 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (410) 423-1801 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (610) 569-0673 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (803) 592-6871 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (817) 789-4899 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (844) 934-1370 | 11 | 1.8% |
| (727) 800-7043 | 7 | 1.2% |
| (610) 204-0955 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (727) 275-8934 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (201) 905-2328 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (410) 697-5485 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 275-2273 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (817) 789-4899 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 253-8265 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (844) 934-1370 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (727) 800-7043 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.