FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 May 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 824 consumer complaints on Thursday, 14 May 2020 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 741 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 402 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 824
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (402)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (104)
Where the complaints came from
On 14 May 2020, the 824 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 574 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 104 | 12.6% |
| Texas | 66 | 8.0% |
| Florida | 64 | 7.8% |
| New York | 42 | 5.1% |
| Virginia | 32 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 28 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 27 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 27 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 27 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 27 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 378 | 45.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 555 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 555 | 67.4% |
| Internet | 177 | 21.5% |
| TV | 79 | 9.6% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
555 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 402 | 72.4% |
| Billing | 60 | 10.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 24 | 4.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 13 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
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, Junk Faxes and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
177 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 67 | 37.9% |
| Billing | 64 | 36.2% |
| Speed | 30 | 16.9% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.4% |
| Interference | 3 | 1.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
79 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 44.3% |
| Availability | 26 | 32.9% |
| Indecency | 9 | 11.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 402 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 48.8% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (502) 213-2798 | 6 | 1.5% |
| (321) 340-3777 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (412) 316-2460 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (802) 347-9056 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (855) 466-3908 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (855) 582-0220 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (866) 428-2424 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (866) 597-0456 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (201) 967-0407 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 794-9956 | 1 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 468-6792 | 5 | 1.2% |
| (414) 324-5617 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (530) 507-5703 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (530) 783-0213 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (844) 989-1702 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (855) 466-3908 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (855) 582-0220 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (202) 796-2599 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 707-1178 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 797-0885 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (855) 468-6792 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (502) 213-2798 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.