FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 December 2019
Introduction
On 27 December 2019, 589 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 547 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 44 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 271 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 589
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (271)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (58)
Where the complaints came from
The 589 complaints recorded on 27 December 2019 originated from 422 cities across 44 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Iowa, where Iowa City accounted for 34 of the 35 complaints recorded in the state.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 58 | 9.8% |
| Florida | 55 | 9.3% |
| Texas | 55 | 9.3% |
| Iowa | 35 | 5.9% |
| Illinois | 31 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | 5.1% |
| New York | 27 | 4.6% |
| North Carolina | 23 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 23 | 3.9% |
| Massachusetts | 17 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 235 | 39.9% |
Location highlights
- Complaints reported in Iowa originated from two cities, Iowa City and Council bluffs.
- Complaint activity in Iowa was almost entirely concentrated in Iowa City.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 395 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 395 | 67.1% |
| Internet | 90 | 15.3% |
| TV | 87 | 14.8% |
| Radio | 14 | 2.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
395 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 271 | 68.6% |
| Billing | 60 | 15.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 15 | 3.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 3.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.0% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 42 | 46.7% |
| Billing | 26 | 28.9% |
| Speed | 9 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.9% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 51.7% |
| Availability | 24 | 27.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 8.0% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.6% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.4% |
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 271 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 46% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (319) 400-7890 | 6 | 2.2% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 1.1% |
| (855) 789-0230 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (202) 447-1286 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (202) 921-4917 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (203) 484-8095 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (206) 312-1882 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (210) 441-3099 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (210) 493-3884 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (210) 829-2501 | 1 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (319) 400-7890 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.