FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 February 2020
Introduction
A total of 1037 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 21 February 2020, this represented a decline from the 1089 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California accounting for the largest number of submissions at 239 complaints. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 741 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1037
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (741)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (239)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 21 February 2020 show 1037 complaints originating from 617 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were less evenly distributed than usual, with California accounting for the highest proportion of reports. At the city level, complaints were spread across locations, with no single city representing a significant proportion 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 | 239 | 23.0% |
| Texas | 96 | 9.3% |
| Florida | 70 | 6.8% |
| New York | 49 | 4.7% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 32 | 3.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | 2.9% |
| Illinois | 29 | 2.8% |
| Ohio | 28 | 2.7% |
| Arizona | 27 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 392 | 37.8% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 848 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 848 | 81.8% |
| Internet | 113 | 10.9% |
| TV | 64 | 6.2% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
848 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 741 | 87.4% |
| Billing | 35 | 4.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Equipment | 13 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
Internet complaints
113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 43.4% |
| Availability | 37 | 32.7% |
| Speed | 9 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.4% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
64 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 54.7% |
| Availability | 14 | 21.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.3% |
| Indecency | 4 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
741 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 71.5% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (661) 241-8541 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (512) 675-5352 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (916) 545-2650 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (323) 300-6236 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (424) 204-4290 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (855) 838-4388 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (888) 777-2454 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (215) 279-5461 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (270) 693-6171 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (505) 933-6913 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (512) 675-5352 | 24 | 3.2% |
| (206) 415-2661 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (253) 563-0606 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (908) 253-2814 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (916) 545-2650 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (270) 693-6171 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (402) 474-7297 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (424) 204-4290 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (479) 244-2243 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (512) 675-5352 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (661) 241-8541 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.