FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 March 2020
Introduction
A total of 638 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 25 March 2020, complaint volume increased from 561 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 308 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 638
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (308)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (72)
Where the complaints came from
The 638 complaints recorded on 25 March 2020 were submitted from 474 cities across 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 72 | 11.3% |
| Texas | 60 | 9.4% |
| Florida | 49 | 7.7% |
| New York | 31 | 4.9% |
| New Jersey | 27 | 4.2% |
| Michigan | 26 | 4.1% |
| Colorado | 25 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 25 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 20 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 274 | 42.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 60 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 412 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 412 | 64.6% |
| Internet | 147 | 23.0% |
| TV | 66 | 10.3% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
412 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 308 | 74.8% |
| Billing | 42 | 10.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 14 | 3.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.0% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
147 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 61 | 41.5% |
| Billing | 46 | 31.3% |
| Speed | 21 | 14.3% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.4% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 48.5% |
| Availability | 17 | 25.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 9.1% |
| Indecency | 5 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 308 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 48.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (734) 206-7341 | 5 | 1.6% |
| (301) 329-4673 | 4 | 1.3% |
| (307) 204-5795 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (616) 227-3865 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (877) 737-2662 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (202) 285-3801 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (202) 915-0007 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (203) 945-1117 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (207) 474-3959 | 1 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Live Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (734) 206-7341 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.