FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 December 2019
Introduction
A total of 813 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 2 December 2019, this represented an increase from the 280 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 48 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 465 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 813
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (465)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (93)
Where the complaints came from
Across 578 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 813 complaints were recorded on 2 December 2019. 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 table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 93 | 11.4% |
| Texas | 63 | 7.7% |
| Florida | 58 | 7.1% |
| New York | 58 | 7.1% |
| Ohio | 45 | 5.5% |
| North Carolina | 37 | 4.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 34 | 4.2% |
| Michigan | 30 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 29 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 28 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 338 | 41.6% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 635 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 635 | 78.1% |
| Internet | 84 | 10.3% |
| TV | 71 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 20 | 2.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
635 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 465 | 73.2% |
| Billing | 67 | 10.6% |
| Equipment | 38 | 6.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.2% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 32 | 38.1% |
| Billing | 31 | 36.9% |
| Speed | 9 | 10.7% |
| Privacy | 6 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
71 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 56.3% |
| Availability | 21 | 29.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.8% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 465 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 57.2% 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 business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (208) 262-0000 | 5 | 1.1% |
| (206) 415-2661 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (516) 888-3830 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (800) 900-1370 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (800) 950-5114 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 214-4287 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 604-1349 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 539-0645 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 350-1911 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 909-2570 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (208) 262-0000 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.