FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 November 2019

Introduction

On 12 November 2019, 1051 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 747 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 682 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1051
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (682)
Most reported state/territory
California (115)

Where the complaints came from

Reports recorded on 12 November 2019 show 1051 complaints originating from 713 cities across 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 115 10.9%
Texas 84 8.0%
Florida 71 6.8%
New York 56 5.3%
Pennsylvania 51 4.9%
Ohio 46 4.4%
Illinois 44 4.2%
Arizona 42 4.0%
Washington 38 3.6%
Wisconsin 31 2.9%
Other states and territories 470 44.7%

Location highlight

Complaints in California were reported across 79 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 824 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 824 78.4%
Internet 117 11.1%
TV 99 9.4%
Radio 7 0.7%
Emergency 3 0.3%
Accessibility 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

824 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 682 82.8%
Billing 44 5.3%
Equipment 30 3.6%
Availability (including rural call completion) 24 2.9%
Junk Faxes 13 1.6%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 13 1.6%
Privacy 7 0.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 5 0.6%
Interference (including signal jammers) 4 0.5%
Rural Call Completion 1 0.1%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 1 0.1%

As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).

Internet complaints

117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 43 36.8%
Availability 40 34.2%
Speed 13 11.1%
Equipment 9 7.7%
Interference 7 6.0%
Privacy 5 4.3%

Billing and Availability 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 9.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 47 47.5%
Availability 31 31.3%
Loud Commercials 8 8.1%
Indecency 4 4.0%
Interference 4 4.0%
Equipment 3 3.0%
Privacy 2 2.0%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Unwanted calls

A total of 682 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 64.9% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.

Most reported caller ID numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(954) 429-5750 5 0.7%
(239) 344-9374 2 0.3%
(251) 401-8854 2 0.3%
(410) 885-4476 2 0.3%
(424) 204-4290 2 0.3%
(555) 555-5555 2 0.3%
(717) 312-5233 2 0.3%
(719) 452-8970 2 0.3%
(800) 285-8585 2 0.3%
(833) 239-8555 2 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(844) 934-1370 6 0.9%
(424) 204-4290 2 0.3%
(631) 354-9515 2 0.3%
(631) 354-9517 2 0.3%
(719) 452-8970 2 0.3%
(833) 239-8555 2 0.3%
(877) 573-0633 2 0.3%
(954) 429-5750 2 0.3%
(201) 280-3224 1 0.1%
(201) 355-0858 1 0.1%

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.
  • (954) 429-5750 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 13 November 2019 with FCC complaints data from 12 November 2019.

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.