FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 February 2020
Introduction
A total of 291 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday, 9 February 2020, this was lower than the 410 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 42 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 130 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 291
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (130)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (39)
Where the complaints came from
The 291 complaints recorded on 9 February 2020 were submitted from 224 cities across 42 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 39 | 13.4% |
| Virginia | 23 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 22 | 7.6% |
| New York | 16 | 5.5% |
| Kentucky | 14 | 4.8% |
| Illinois | 12 | 4.1% |
| Massachusetts | 12 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 12 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 12 | 4.1% |
| Michigan | 10 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 119 | 40.9% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 26 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 172 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 172 | 59.1% |
| Internet | 62 | 21.3% |
| TV | 48 | 16.5% |
| Radio | 8 | 2.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
172 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 130 | 75.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 5.8% |
| Billing | 7 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 2.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 1.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Privacy.
Internet complaints
62 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 27 | 43.5% |
| Billing | 25 | 40.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.8% |
| Speed | 3 | 4.8% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 15 | 31.3% |
| Billing | 14 | 29.2% |
| Availability | 11 | 22.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.1% |
Indecency and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 130 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 44.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (717) 295-8800 | 5 | 3.8% |
| (703) 251-7400 | 2 | 1.5% |
| (214) 283-1316 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (229) 518-6462 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (239) 791-7383 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (267) 524-2075 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (301) 517-7385 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (304) 627-1419 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (305) 851-6209 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (408) 658-4203 | 1 | 0.8% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (208) 262-0000 | 5 | 3.8% |
| (202) 931-6507 | 2 | 1.5% |
| (248) 319-6077 | 2 | 1.5% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 1.5% |
| (208) 256-0000 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (214) 283-1316 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (301) 517-7385 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (323) 528-3484 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (408) 658-4203 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (501) 273-1460 | 1 | 0.8% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (208) 262-0000 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (717) 295-8800 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.