FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 November 2020
Introduction
On Thursday, 5 November 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 987 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 945 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 652 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 987
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (652)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (143)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 987 complaints were recorded on 5 November 2020, with reports originating from 653 cities in 52 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 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 | 143 | 14.5% |
| Texas | 85 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 84 | 8.5% |
| New York | 74 | 7.5% |
| Georgia | 42 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 4.3% |
| North Carolina | 35 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 28 | 2.8% |
| Ohio | 27 | 2.7% |
| Colorado | 26 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 401 | 40.6% |
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 793 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 793 | 80.3% |
| Internet | 128 | 13.0% |
| TV | 58 | 5.9% |
| Radio | 7 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
793 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 652 | 82.2% |
| Billing | 51 | 6.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
128 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 56 | 43.8% |
| Billing | 34 | 26.6% |
| Speed | 20 | 15.6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.1% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
58 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 32.8% |
| Availability | 15 | 25.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 13.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 10.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
Unwanted calls
652 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 66.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (301) 380-3000 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (628) 268-2795 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (612) 361-4872 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (877) 322-3036 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 719-1115 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 773-1105 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 823-4041 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 969-7469 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 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.