FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 March 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 756 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 18 March 2020 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 674 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 466 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 756
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (466)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (82)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 756 complaints were recorded on 18 March 2020, with reports originating from 525 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 82 | 10.8% |
| Florida | 53 | 7.0% |
| Texas | 51 | 6.7% |
| New York | 38 | 5.0% |
| Maryland | 33 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 32 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 28 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 27 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 25 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 23 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 361 | 47.8% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 552 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 552 | 73.0% |
| Internet | 107 | 14.2% |
| TV | 84 | 11.1% |
| Radio | 8 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
552 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 466 | 84.4% |
| Billing | 35 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 20 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 50 | 46.7% |
| Billing | 30 | 28.0% |
| Speed | 15 | 14.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 42.9% |
| Availability | 21 | 25.0% |
| Indecency | 14 | 16.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.