FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 March 2020
Introduction
On 13 March 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 763 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 807 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 445 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 763
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (445)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (77)
Where the complaints came from
The 763 complaints recorded on 13 March 2020 originated from 532 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 77 | 10.1% |
| Florida | 68 | 8.9% |
| Texas | 53 | 6.9% |
| New York | 41 | 5.4% |
| Illinois | 35 | 4.6% |
| North Carolina | 30 | 3.9% |
| Iowa | 28 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 25 | 3.3% |
| Massachusetts | 23 | 3.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 23 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 350 | 45.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 590 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 590 | 77.3% |
| Internet | 86 | 11.3% |
| TV | 76 | 10.0% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
590 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 445 | 75.4% |
| Billing | 63 | 10.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 19 | 3.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 13 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 1.0% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 45.3% |
| Availability | 34 | 39.5% |
| Speed | 4 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 40.8% |
| Availability | 23 | 30.3% |
| Indecency | 14 | 18.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
445 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 58.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (208) 262-0000 | 5 | 1.1% |
| (240) 332-9378 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (310) 340-4318 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (888) 739-5967 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 431-1516 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 239-5486 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 918-1983 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (207) 477-5609 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (207) 579-3996 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (208) 262-0000 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- 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.