FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 March 2020
Introduction
On 9 March 2020, 794 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 257 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 424 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 794
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (424)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (79)
Where the complaints came from
The 794 complaints recorded on 9 March 2020 were submitted from 532 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Missouri, where Town and country accounted for 21 of the 31 complaints recorded.
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 | 79 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 58 | 7.3% |
| Florida | 50 | 6.3% |
| Louisiana | 48 | 6.0% |
| New York | 42 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 33 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 33 | 4.2% |
| Missouri | 31 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 30 | 3.8% |
| Washington | 28 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 360 | 45.3% |
Location highlights
- Complaints in Missouri were heavily concentrated in Town and country, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
- California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 57 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 552 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 552 | 69.5% |
| Internet | 139 | 17.5% |
| TV | 82 | 10.3% |
| Radio | 16 | 2.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
552 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 424 | 76.8% |
| Billing | 54 | 9.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 22 | 4.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 16 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 3 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.2% |
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, Junk Faxes and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
139 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 34.5% |
| Availability | 46 | 33.1% |
| Speed | 25 | 18.0% |
| Interference | 9 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 7 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 52.4% |
| Availability | 19 | 23.2% |
| Indecency | 13 | 15.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 1.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
424 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 53.4% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (214) 748-3647 | 5 | 1.2% |
| (314) 710-3143 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (877) 765-1152 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (425) 217-1746 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (800) 669-8488 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (817) 799-7886 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (855) 244-6744 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (201) 680-0452 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Live Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (214) 748-3647 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.