FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 November 2020
Introduction
A total of 1036 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 9 November 2020, this was higher than the 277 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 612 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1036
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (612)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (107)
Where the complaints came from
The 1036 complaints recorded on 9 November 2020 originated from 692 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 | 107 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 92 | 8.9% |
| Florida | 87 | 8.4% |
| New York | 69 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 35 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 33 | 3.2% |
| Arizona | 32 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 465 | 44.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 763 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 763 | 73.6% |
| Internet | 148 | 14.3% |
| TV | 100 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
763 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 612 | 80.2% |
| Billing | 58 | 7.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
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
148 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 76 | 51.4% |
| Billing | 42 | 28.4% |
| Speed | 15 | 10.1% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.0% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 37.0% |
| Availability | 32 | 32.0% |
| Indecency | 14 | 14.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
612 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 59.1% 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 | 12 | 2.0% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (877) 674-0711 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (216) 327-8082 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (315) 238-8257 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (386) 276-3282 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (407) 598-6684 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (707) 529-7900 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (817) 542-5496 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.