FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 February 2020
Introduction
On 3 February 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1588 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 253 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with Texas recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Indecency was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1588
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Indecency (596)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (130)
Where the complaints came from
Across 1053 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1588 complaints were recorded on 3 February 2020. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 130 | 8.2% |
| California | 124 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 95 | 6.0% |
| New York | 79 | 5.0% |
| North Carolina | 70 | 4.4% |
| Michigan | 66 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 64 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 61 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 58 | 3.7% |
| Indiana | 48 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 790 | 49.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. TV was the most reported category, with 835 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TV | 835 | 52.6% |
| Phone | 632 | 39.8% |
| Internet | 97 | 6.1% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
TV complaints
835 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 52.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 596 | 71.4% |
| Availability | 179 | 21.4% |
| Billing | 48 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 0.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 0.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.1% |
Indecency and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Phone complaints
632 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 39.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 506 | 80.1% |
| Billing | 49 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 25 | 4.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.5% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 42.3% |
| Availability | 32 | 33.0% |
| Speed | 9 | 9.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.2% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 506 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 31.9% 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 caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (301) 666-2628 | 6 | 1.2% |
| (813) 560-0145 | 5 | 1.0% |
| (313) 336-4697 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (323) 638-2127 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (410) 874-5194 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (469) 273-1093 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (800) 423-4343 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (845) 639-2000 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 474-3103 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 512-3456 | 1 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (301) 666-2628 | 6 | 1.2% |
| (813) 560-0145 | 5 | 1.0% |
| (410) 874-5194 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (432) 571-1638 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (800) 431-6859 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (202) 301-9799 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 512-3456 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 826-9574 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 900-0509 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 900-3491 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (301) 666-2628 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (301) 666-2628 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.