FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 November 2019
Introduction
On 21 November 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 967 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1022 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 653 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 967
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (653)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (99)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 21 November 2019 show 967 complaints originating from 656 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 99 | 10.2% |
| Texas | 94 | 9.7% |
| Florida | 73 | 7.5% |
| New York | 46 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 35 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 35 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 34 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 34 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 32 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 434 | 44.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 791 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 791 | 81.8% |
| Internet | 92 | 9.5% |
| TV | 73 | 7.5% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
791 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 653 | 82.6% |
| Billing | 50 | 6.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 3.5% |
| Equipment | 17 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 43.5% |
| Availability | 33 | 35.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 6.5% |
| Speed | 6 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
73 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 56.2% |
| Availability | 19 | 26.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 8.2% |
| Indecency | 4 | 5.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
653 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 67.5% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (813) 815-4175 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (231) 246-1582 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (267) 218-9681 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (346) 326-0131 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (469) 729-4944 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (650) 798-6180 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (717) 312-5233 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (915) 224-1283 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 598-9798 | 1 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (813) 815-4175 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (844) 907-1641 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 310-3321 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 314-1865 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (915) 224-1283 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (954) 429-5750 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 710-7259 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (813) 815-4175 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (813) 815-4175 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.