FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 January 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 954 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 14 January 2020 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 817 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 540 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 954
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (540)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (114)
Where the complaints came from
The 954 complaints recorded on 14 January 2020 were submitted from 681 cities across 50 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 114 | 11.9% |
| Texas | 81 | 8.5% |
| Florida | 73 | 7.7% |
| New York | 52 | 5.5% |
| Ohio | 40 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 34 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 33 | 3.5% |
| Missouri | 31 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 31 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 421 | 44.1% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 80 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 688 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 688 | 72.1% |
| TV | 139 | 14.6% |
| Internet | 115 | 12.1% |
| Radio | 7 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
688 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 540 | 78.5% |
| Billing | 62 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 34 | 4.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.3% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
139 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 75 | 54.0% |
| Availability | 38 | 27.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.2% |
| Indecency | 2 | 1.4% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 44.3% |
| Availability | 36 | 31.3% |
| Speed | 13 | 11.3% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 540 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 56.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (208) 262-0000 | 14 | 2.6% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (888) 636-3834 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (800) 669-8488 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (855) 969-0058 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (949) 547-7753 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (202) 324-3000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 337-1814 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 337-4459 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 624-9516 | 1 | 0.2% |
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.
- 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.