FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 November 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1014 consumer complaints on Monday, 18 November 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 289 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 640 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1014
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (640)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (119)
Where the complaints came from
The 1014 complaints recorded on 18 November 2019 were submitted from 656 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. 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 | 119 | 11.7% |
| Texas | 86 | 8.5% |
| Florida | 79 | 7.8% |
| New York | 68 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 44 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 37 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 29 | 2.9% |
| Virginia | 26 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 431 | 42.5% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 78 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 792 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 792 | 78.1% |
| Internet | 108 | 10.7% |
| TV | 91 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 20 | 2.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
792 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 640 | 80.8% |
| Billing | 64 | 8.1% |
| Equipment | 30 | 3.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 45 | 41.7% |
| Billing | 44 | 40.7% |
| Speed | 8 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.8% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 54.9% |
| Availability | 26 | 28.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.3% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 640 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 63.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (424) 204-4290 | 7 | 1.1% |
| (954) 429-5750 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (208) 203-3233 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (310) 597-4842 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (409) 300-1416 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (424) 240-7413 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (478) 215-4379 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (714) 684-6811 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (717) 312-5233 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (720) 479-9451 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (844) 934-1370 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (206) 415-2661 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (800) 321-0591 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (866) 239-0670 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (239) 275-3662 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (424) 240-7413 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (631) 359-4435 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 503-6359 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (833) 278-1518 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.
- (424) 204-4290 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.