FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 January 2020
Introduction
On Wednesday, 29 January 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 998 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1044 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 699 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 998
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (699)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (93)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 998 complaints were recorded on 29 January 2020, with reports originating from 691 cities in 53 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 93 | 9.3% |
| Texas | 80 | 8.0% |
| Florida | 79 | 7.9% |
| New York | 68 | 6.8% |
| Georgia | 46 | 4.6% |
| Ohio | 44 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 41 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 32 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 438 | 43.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 825 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 825 | 82.7% |
| Internet | 85 | 8.5% |
| TV | 76 | 7.6% |
| Radio | 7 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
825 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 699 | 84.7% |
| Billing | 43 | 5.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 19 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 42.4% |
| Availability | 25 | 29.4% |
| Speed | 9 | 10.6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 44.7% |
| Availability | 26 | 34.2% |
| Indecency | 7 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 699 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 70% 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 caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (413) 493-3878 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (855) 528-2496 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (205) 419-2618 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (385) 444-2542 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (424) 204-4290 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (646) 921-1685 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (715) 370-0749 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 275-2273 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (818) 502-8310 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (208) 262-0000 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (888) 231-1249 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (855) 528-2496 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (205) 419-2618 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (281) 973-7358 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (346) 888-1249 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (385) 444-2542 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (618) 355-1128 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (661) 670-2602 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (208) 262-0000 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (413) 493-3878 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.