FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 February 2020
Introduction
A total of 257 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday, 23 February 2020, complaint volume fell from 321 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 41 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 132 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 257
- States & territories reporting
- 41
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (132)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (37)
Where the complaints came from
The 257 complaints recorded on 23 February 2020 originated from 204 cities across 41 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 | 37 | 14.4% |
| Texas | 27 | 10.5% |
| Florida | 22 | 8.6% |
| Ohio | 16 | 6.2% |
| Virginia | 15 | 5.8% |
| Kentucky | 11 | 4.3% |
| Maryland | 10 | 3.9% |
| New York | 10 | 3.9% |
| Washington | 9 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 8 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 92 | 35.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 173 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 173 | 67.3% |
| TV | 44 | 17.1% |
| Internet | 30 | 11.7% |
| Radio | 5 | 1.9% |
| Emergency | 3 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
173 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 132 | 76.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 6.4% |
| Billing | 10 | 5.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 4.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.6% |
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 Equipment, Billing and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
44 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 43.2% |
| Availability | 14 | 31.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.8% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
30 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 15 | 50.0% |
| Availability | 8 | 26.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 6.7% |
| Speed | 2 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 132 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 51.4% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (208) 262-0000 | 7 | 5.3% |
| (817) 840-9801 | 2 | 1.5% |
| (202) 759-4948 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (206) 661-6498 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (206) 892-0433 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (213) 325-5679 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (213) 463-3395 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (253) 905-3302 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (304) 212-6793 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (312) 800-1561 | 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.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.