FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 February 2020
Introduction
On Tuesday, 25 February 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1018 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 821 complaints recorded 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 593 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1018
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (593)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (114)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1018 complaints were recorded on 25 February 2020, with reports originating from 648 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 114 | 11.2% |
| Texas | 106 | 10.4% |
| Florida | 64 | 6.3% |
| New York | 49 | 4.8% |
| North Carolina | 45 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 43 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 37 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 35 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 33 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 455 | 44.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 733 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 733 | 72.0% |
| TV | 130 | 12.8% |
| Internet | 129 | 12.7% |
| Radio | 21 | 2.1% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
733 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 593 | 80.9% |
| Billing | 57 | 7.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 16 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Junk Faxes.
TV complaints
130 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 42.3% |
| Availability | 37 | 28.5% |
| Indecency | 25 | 19.2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 3.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
129 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 61 | 47.3% |
| Availability | 41 | 31.8% |
| Speed | 13 | 10.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 5.4% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 2 | 1.6% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 593 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 58.3% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 847-2911 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (916) 378-8499 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (209) 260-8291 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (213) 374-2480 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (215) 278-4950 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (423) 205-8775 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 669-8488 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (850) 204-6418 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (904) 293-1424 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (908) 280-9430 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 847-2911 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (916) 378-8499 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (404) 475-6611 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (215) 278-4950 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (423) 205-8775 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (630) 937-3579 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 669-8488 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (908) 280-9430 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 381-1672 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (201) 632-5682 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (800) 847-2911 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (800) 847-2911 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.