FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 February 2020
Introduction
A total of 1121 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 5 February 2020, complaint volume fell from 1568 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 711 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1121
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (711)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (104)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1121 complaints were recorded on 5 February 2020, with reports originating from 754 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 104 | 9.3% |
| Texas | 87 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 85 | 7.6% |
| New York | 62 | 5.5% |
| Michigan | 54 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 53 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 44 | 3.9% |
| Virginia | 44 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 35 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 506 | 45.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 825 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 825 | 73.6% |
| TV | 184 | 16.4% |
| Internet | 103 | 9.2% |
| Radio | 7 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
825 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 711 | 86.2% |
| Billing | 40 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
184 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 93 | 50.5% |
| Billing | 41 | 22.3% |
| Availability | 38 | 20.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 2.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 2.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 42.7% |
| Availability | 36 | 35.0% |
| Speed | 11 | 10.7% |
| Privacy | 8 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 1.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 711 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 63.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 681-4473 | 8 | 1.1% |
| (202) 798-3263 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (208) 377-6500 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (626) 463-6223 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (206) 231-5141 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (208) 843-8782 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (302) 488-0773 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (323) 369-2014 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (470) 867-6598 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (470) 867-6637 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 881-4473 | 8 | 1.1% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (855) 456-1279 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (702) 472-7313 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (206) 231-5141 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (208) 377-6500 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (208) 843-8782 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (470) 867-6598 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (470) 867-6637 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (508) 566-5096 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (866) 881-4473 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (866) 681-4473 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.