FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 April 2020
Introduction
On Tuesday, 14 April 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 753 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 717 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 53 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 312 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 753
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (312)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (74)
Where the complaints came from
Across 571 cities in 53 states and territories, a total of 753 complaints were recorded on 14 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 | 74 | 9.8% |
| Texas | 56 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 51 | 6.8% |
| New York | 48 | 6.4% |
| Arizona | 37 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 36 | 4.8% |
| Georgia | 29 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 29 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 28 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 23 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 336 | 44.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 441 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 441 | 58.6% |
| Internet | 187 | 24.8% |
| TV | 102 | 13.5% |
| Radio | 16 | 2.1% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
441 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 58.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 312 | 70.7% |
| Billing | 48 | 10.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 19 | 4.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 3.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.7% |
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
187 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 24.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 78 | 41.7% |
| Billing | 52 | 27.8% |
| Speed | 38 | 20.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 3.7% |
| Interference | 7 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 44.1% |
| Availability | 29 | 28.4% |
| Indecency | 19 | 18.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
312 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 41.4% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (352) 268-4969 | 5 | 1.6% |
| (212) 444-3372 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (781) 217-7700 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (201) 537-3459 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (201) 623-8127 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (202) 495-2546 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (202) 918-4690 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (202) 923-9687 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (205) 609-5702 | 1 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (352) 268-4969 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.