FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 February 2020
Introduction
On 20 February 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1089 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1200 complaints recorded the day before. Submissions were made from 50 states and territories, with California accounting for the highest number of complaints at 187. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 746 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1089
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (746)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (187)
Where the complaints came from
On 20 February 2020, the 1089 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 686 cities across 50 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 187 | 17.2% |
| Texas | 86 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 78 | 7.2% |
| New York | 56 | 5.1% |
| Illinois | 49 | 4.5% |
| North Carolina | 42 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 35 | 3.2% |
| Maryland | 29 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 442 | 40.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 83 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 879 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 879 | 80.7% |
| Internet | 101 | 9.3% |
| TV | 91 | 8.4% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
879 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 746 | 84.9% |
| Billing | 50 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 24 | 2.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| 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, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
Internet complaints
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 43 | 42.6% |
| Billing | 37 | 36.6% |
| Speed | 8 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.0% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 57.1% |
| Availability | 20 | 22.0% |
| Indecency | 12 | 13.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 746 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 68.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (310) 986-2646 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (240) 219-8635 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (661) 241-8541 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (200) 545-2541 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (209) 244-9074 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (210) 501-0706 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (323) 405-9996 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (419) 219-4947 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (470) 233-7847 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (619) 798-9835 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (310) 986-2646 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.