FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 April 2020
Introduction
A total of 717 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 13 April 2020, complaint volume increased from 221 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 717
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (267)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (67)
Where the complaints came from
Across 535 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 717 complaints were recorded on 13 April 2020. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 67 | 9.3% |
| Florida | 60 | 8.4% |
| New York | 56 | 7.8% |
| Texas | 54 | 7.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 4.9% |
| Michigan | 28 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 26 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 26 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 25 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 23 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 314 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 371 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 371 | 51.7% |
| Internet | 169 | 23.6% |
| TV | 154 | 21.5% |
| Radio | 15 | 2.1% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
371 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 51.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 267 | 72.0% |
| Billing | 41 | 11.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 15 | 4.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 1.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail 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
169 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 65 | 38.5% |
| Billing | 53 | 31.4% |
| Speed | 34 | 20.1% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.1% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.8% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
154 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 50 | 32.5% |
| Billing | 45 | 29.2% |
| Availability | 44 | 28.6% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.5% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 0.6% |
Indecency and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.