FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 December 2019
Introduction
A total of 1019 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 3 December 2019, complaint volume increased from 813 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 614 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1019
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (614)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 3 December 2019 show 1019 complaints originating from 698 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 129 | 12.7% |
| Florida | 84 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 73 | 7.2% |
| New York | 65 | 6.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 35 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 35 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 31 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 442 | 43.4% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 86 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 795 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 795 | 78.0% |
| TV | 112 | 11.0% |
| Internet | 95 | 9.3% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
795 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 614 | 77.2% |
| Billing | 67 | 8.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 51.8% |
| Availability | 27 | 24.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 9.8% |
| Indecency | 10 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 38 | 40.0% |
| Billing | 36 | 37.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.3% |
| Speed | 5 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.2% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 614 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 60.3% 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 | 0.8% |
| (931) 807-8021 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (210) 728-3896 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (325) 399-0651 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (609) 606-9030 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (720) 201-8888 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (727) 295-0508 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (929) 202-4245 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 543-9784 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (954) 429-5750 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.