FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 May 2020
Introduction
On Thursday, 7 May 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 730 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 666 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 392 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 730
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (392)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (96)
Where the complaints came from
On 7 May 2020, the 730 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 516 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 96 | 13.2% |
| Texas | 57 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 51 | 7.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 5.8% |
| North Carolina | 30 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 29 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 28 | 3.8% |
| New York | 28 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 25 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 23 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 320 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 522 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 522 | 71.5% |
| Internet | 122 | 16.7% |
| TV | 68 | 9.3% |
| Radio | 15 | 2.1% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
522 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 392 | 75.1% |
| Billing | 49 | 9.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 17 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.8% |
| 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
122 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 54 | 44.3% |
| Billing | 33 | 27.0% |
| Speed | 22 | 18.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.6% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 45.6% |
| Availability | 15 | 22.1% |
| Indecency | 10 | 14.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 4.4% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.