FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 November 2020
Introduction
On 4 November 2020, 945 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1024 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 610 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 945
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (610)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (119)
Where the complaints came from
Across 648 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 945 complaints were recorded on 4 November 2020. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 119 | 12.6% |
| Texas | 79 | 8.4% |
| New York | 73 | 7.7% |
| Florida | 61 | 6.5% |
| Illinois | 49 | 5.2% |
| North Carolina | 36 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 33 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 33 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 32 | 3.4% |
| Maryland | 32 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 397 | 42.0% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 83 different cities.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 745 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 745 | 78.8% |
| Internet | 124 | 13.1% |
| TV | 65 | 6.9% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
745 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 610 | 81.9% |
| Billing | 51 | 6.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 5 | 0.7% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
124 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 45 | 36.3% |
| Billing | 34 | 27.4% |
| Speed | 20 | 16.1% |
| Equipment | 12 | 9.7% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.4% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 58.5% |
| Availability | 9 | 13.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 13.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.1% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 610 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 64.6% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (208) 262-0000 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (248) 320-9043 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 283-6635 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 310-2420 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 235-8193 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 358-4285 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 278-9952 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (208) 790-5231 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
- 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.