FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 March 2020
Introduction
A total of 910 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 6 March 2020, this was higher than the 841 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with Florida reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 544 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 910
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (544)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (84)
Where the complaints came from
Across 605 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 910 complaints were recorded on 6 March 2020. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 84 | 9.2% |
| Texas | 82 | 9.0% |
| California | 72 | 7.9% |
| Ohio | 45 | 4.9% |
| New York | 41 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 36 | 4.0% |
| Washington | 34 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 29 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 29 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 27 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 424 | 46.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 659 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 659 | 72.4% |
| TV | 120 | 13.2% |
| Internet | 104 | 11.4% |
| Radio | 22 | 2.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
659 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 544 | 82.5% |
| Billing | 43 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 21 | 3.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.5% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 49.2% |
| Availability | 28 | 23.3% |
| Indecency | 19 | 15.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
104 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 42 | 40.4% |
| Billing | 38 | 36.5% |
| Speed | 12 | 11.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 544 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 59.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (240) 448-7720 | 6 | 1.1% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (312) 312-7195 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (678) 647-8802 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (720) 715-9667 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (800) 423-4343 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (813) 993-1611 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (844) 209-2658 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (888) 829-9436 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 347-4887 | 1 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (240) 448-7720 | 6 | 1.1% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (800) 903-3637 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (469) 257-0348 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (510) 902-1860 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (678) 647-8802 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (813) 874-0430 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (844) 209-2658 | 2 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (240) 448-7720 stood out as both the most frequently reported business contact number and 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.