FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 January 2020
Introduction
On 20 January 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 634 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 276 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 405 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 634
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (405)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (67)
Where the complaints came from
The 634 complaints recorded on 20 January 2020 originated from 479 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 67 | 10.6% |
| Texas | 48 | 7.6% |
| New York | 42 | 6.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 6.0% |
| Florida | 35 | 5.5% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 5.4% |
| Tennessee | 27 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 24 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 24 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 24 | 3.8% |
| Other states and territories | 271 | 42.7% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 51 different cities.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 477 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 477 | 75.2% |
| Internet | 76 | 12.0% |
| TV | 73 | 11.5% |
| Radio | 7 | 1.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
477 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 405 | 84.9% |
| Billing | 23 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 12 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.6% |
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 Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
Internet complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 35 | 46.1% |
| Billing | 24 | 31.6% |
| Interference | 7 | 9.2% |
| Speed | 6 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.6% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
73 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 46.6% |
| Availability | 22 | 30.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 12.3% |
| Indecency | 6 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.4% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 405 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 63.9% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (208) 262-0000 | 6 | 1.5% |
| (619) 860-1736 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (502) 642-4868 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (651) 371-6673 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (800) 285-8585 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (800) 903-3637 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (201) 233-3609 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 484-8095 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 289-1813 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 915-9794 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Live 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.