FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 March 2020
Introduction
On 7 March 2020, 323 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 910 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 44 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 160 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 323
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (160)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (33)
Where the complaints came from
The 323 complaints recorded on 7 March 2020 originated from 262 cities across 44 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share 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 | 33 | 10.2% |
| Texas | 26 | 8.0% |
| New York | 23 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 22 | 6.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 5.0% |
| Washington | 15 | 4.6% |
| Virginia | 13 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 12 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 10 | 3.1% |
| Indiana | 10 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 143 | 44.3% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 26 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 200 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 200 | 61.9% |
| TV | 56 | 17.3% |
| Internet | 52 | 16.1% |
| Radio | 10 | 3.1% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 1.5% |
Phone complaints
200 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 160 | 80.0% |
| Billing | 14 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 5 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.0% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.5% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
TV complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 60.7% |
| Availability | 11 | 19.6% |
| Indecency | 9 | 16.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 3.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 19 | 36.5% |
| Billing | 11 | 21.2% |
| Speed | 11 | 21.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 7.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Billing and Speed among the most common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 160 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 49.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 5 | 3.1% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 3 | 1.9% |
| (800) 208-0000 | 3 | 1.9% |
| (210) 903-5272 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (217) 319-1208 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (281) 330-8004 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (301) 368-6880 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (313) 800-8955 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (314) 807-3806 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (334) 463-5457 | 1 | 0.6% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- 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.