FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 May 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 368 consumer complaints on Saturday, 16 May 2020 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 749 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 46 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 193 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 368
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (193)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (40)
Where the complaints came from
On 16 May 2020, the 368 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 281 cities across 46 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 40 | 10.9% |
| Texas | 33 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 26 | 7.1% |
| Ohio | 26 | 7.1% |
| Georgia | 20 | 5.4% |
| Arizona | 18 | 4.9% |
| Colorado | 14 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 13 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 13 | 3.5% |
| New York | 13 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 152 | 41.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 239 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 239 | 64.9% |
| Internet | 77 | 20.9% |
| TV | 38 | 10.3% |
| Radio | 10 | 2.7% |
| Emergency | 4 | 1.1% |
Phone complaints
239 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 193 | 80.8% |
| Billing | 18 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 4.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 3 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.8% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
Internet complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 41.6% |
| Availability | 23 | 29.9% |
| Speed | 10 | 13.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 13 | 34.2% |
| Billing | 12 | 31.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 28.9% |
| Indecency | 2 | 5.3% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
193 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 52.4% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 466-3908 | 8 | 4.1% |
| (855) 468-6792 | 3 | 1.6% |
| (855) 942-4014 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (202) 448-5160 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (202) 920-1466 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (208) 271-9427 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (210) 756-9026 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (214) 922-6206 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (224) 286-1397 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (303) 997-0018 | 1 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (855) 466-3908 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.