FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 December 2019
Introduction
On 4 December 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1026 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1019 complaints the day before. 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 652 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1026
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (652)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (123)
Where the complaints came from
Across 668 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1026 complaints were recorded on 4 December 2019. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 123 | 12.0% |
| Texas | 84 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 74 | 7.2% |
| New York | 54 | 5.3% |
| Ohio | 50 | 4.9% |
| Illinois | 43 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 36 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 35 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 444 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 816 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 816 | 79.5% |
| Internet | 97 | 9.5% |
| TV | 91 | 8.9% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
816 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 652 | 79.9% |
| Billing | 49 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 34 | 4.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 21 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided 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
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 43.3% |
| Availability | 34 | 35.1% |
| Speed | 8 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 56.0% |
| Availability | 21 | 23.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.6% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.2% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 652 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 63.5% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (206) 415-2661 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (307) 248-5697 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (206) 452-0615 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (206) 453-2878 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (209) 330-1372 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (209) 625-1313 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (240) 680-7494 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (407) 318-7207 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 275-2273 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (206) 415-2661 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- 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.