FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 December 2019
Introduction
A total of 1018 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 5 December 2019, this was lower than the 1026 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 634 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1018
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (634)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (106)
Where the complaints came from
The 1018 complaints recorded on 5 December 2019 originated from 701 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 106 | 10.4% |
| Texas | 90 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 84 | 8.3% |
| New York | 66 | 6.5% |
| Illinois | 47 | 4.6% |
| Ohio | 46 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 35 | 3.4% |
| Maryland | 33 | 3.2% |
| Colorado | 29 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 439 | 43.1% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 821 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 821 | 80.6% |
| TV | 97 | 9.5% |
| Internet | 82 | 8.1% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
821 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 634 | 77.2% |
| Billing | 67 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 34 | 4.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 31 | 3.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Junk Faxes.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 58.8% |
| Availability | 27 | 27.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 43 | 52.4% |
| Billing | 24 | 29.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.9% |
| Speed | 4 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.4% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
634 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 62.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (954) 429-5750 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (747) 282-1307 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (312) 777-4200 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (424) 204-4290 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (956) 477-2168 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (202) 301-0389 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (210) 209-7569 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (410) 397-7522 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (786) 284-1227 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (208) 262-0000 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (206) 415-2661 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (208) 464-7261 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (410) 397-7522 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (469) 214-9886 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 567-1757 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (818) 577-1800 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 752-7753 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (954) 429-5750 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.
- (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.