FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 November 2019
Introduction
On 5 November 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1279 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 983 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 804 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1279
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (804)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (162)
Where the complaints came from
On 5 November 2019, the 1279 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 821 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 162 | 12.7% |
| Texas | 140 | 10.9% |
| Florida | 84 | 6.6% |
| New York | 64 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 62 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 58 | 4.5% |
| New Jersey | 56 | 4.4% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 33 | 2.6% |
| Tennessee | 32 | 2.5% |
| Other states and territories | 539 | 42.1% |
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 998 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 998 | 78.0% |
| TV | 158 | 12.4% |
| Internet | 106 | 8.3% |
| Radio | 12 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
998 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 804 | 80.6% |
| Billing | 93 | 9.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 3.5% |
| Equipment | 25 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
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.
TV complaints
158 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 72 | 45.6% |
| Availability | 50 | 31.6% |
| Equipment | 16 | 10.1% |
| Indecency | 11 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 2.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
106 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 46.2% |
| Availability | 34 | 32.1% |
| Speed | 10 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.6% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
804 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 62.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (844) 934-1370 | 6 | 0.7% |
| (855) 218-2357 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (949) 401-6268 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (213) 824-3100 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (313) 649-4482 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (410) 697-5485 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (425) 836-9992 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (512) 520-5302 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (512) 846-7482 | 2 | 0.2% |
| (601) 436-4651 | 2 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (844) 934-1370 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.