FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 January 2020
Introduction
A total of 269 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday, 12 January 2020, complaint volume fell from 378 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 40 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 126 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 269
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (126)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (50)
Where the complaints came from
Across 201 cities in 40 states and territories, a total of 269 complaints were recorded on 12 January 2020. Compared with most days, complaint activity was more concentrated, with California contributing the largest share of complaints. However, the most pronounced city-level concentration was observed in Ohio, where Grove City accounted for 27 of the 37 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 | 50 | 18.6% |
| Ohio | 37 | 13.8% |
| Texas | 17 | 6.3% |
| Florida | 13 | 4.8% |
| New York | 13 | 4.8% |
| Arizona | 8 | 3.0% |
| Georgia | 8 | 3.0% |
| Massachusetts | 8 | 3.0% |
| Washington | 8 | 3.0% |
| Colorado | 7 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 100 | 37.2% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Ohio originated from Grove City, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 165 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 165 | 61.3% |
| TV | 49 | 18.2% |
| Internet | 45 | 16.7% |
| Radio | 7 | 2.6% |
| Emergency | 3 | 1.1% |
Phone complaints
165 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 126 | 76.4% |
| Billing | 18 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 2 | 1.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Privacy among the most common.
TV complaints
49 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 18 | 36.7% |
| Availability | 14 | 28.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 12.2% |
| Indecency | 6 | 12.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 18 | 40.0% |
| Billing | 14 | 31.1% |
| Speed | 5 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.4% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 126 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 46.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 275-2273 | 5 | 4.0% |
| (855) 419-1365 | 3 | 2.4% |
| (609) 606-9030 | 2 | 1.6% |
| (202) 539-1543 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (202) 915-0840 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (202) 930-5522 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (203) 902-0742 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (206) 288-4400 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (208) 219-4403 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (209) 225-2038 | 1 | 0.8% |
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.
- (800) 275-2273 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.