FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 March 2020
Introduction
A total of 943 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, 3 March 2020, this represented an increase from the 837 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with Texas recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 574 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 943
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (574)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (93)
Where the complaints came from
On 3 March 2020, the 943 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 648 cities across 51 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 93 | 9.9% |
| California | 87 | 9.2% |
| Florida | 66 | 7.0% |
| New York | 53 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 4.7% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 4.6% |
| Ohio | 40 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 39 | 4.1% |
| Arizona | 35 | 3.7% |
| Maryland | 29 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 413 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 728 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 728 | 77.2% |
| Internet | 106 | 11.2% |
| TV | 96 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
728 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 574 | 78.8% |
| Billing | 48 | 6.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 3.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.3% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
106 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 42.5% |
| Availability | 41 | 38.7% |
| Speed | 7 | 6.6% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 37.5% |
| Availability | 26 | 27.1% |
| Indecency | 20 | 20.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
574 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 60.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (202) 788-5488 | 7 | 1.2% |
| (828) 436-8694 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (202) 330-5043 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (307) 248-5569 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (323) 886-0357 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (563) 207-3624 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (615) 229-3820 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (626) 495-9031 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (757) 330-4294 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (830) 302-3114 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (202) 788-5488 | 7 | 1.2% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (833) 550-0599 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (202) 330-5043 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (469) 324-5621 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (563) 207-3624 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (619) 332-2357 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (626) 495-9031 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (202) 788-5488 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (202) 788-5488 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.