FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 November 2020
Introduction
On 12 November 2020, 1058 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 941 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 571 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1058
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (571)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 12 November 2020 show 1058 complaints originating from 715 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 128 | 12.1% |
| Florida | 87 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 87 | 8.2% |
| New York | 85 | 8.0% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 34 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 33 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 31 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 451 | 42.6% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 743 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 743 | 70.2% |
| Internet | 147 | 13.9% |
| TV | 144 | 13.6% |
| Radio | 21 | 2.0% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
743 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 571 | 76.9% |
| Billing | 64 | 8.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 41 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
147 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 58 | 39.5% |
| Billing | 42 | 28.6% |
| Speed | 23 | 15.6% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.7% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
144 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 36 | 25.0% |
| Billing | 28 | 19.4% |
| Indecency | 23 | 16.0% |
| Interference | 21 | 14.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 19 | 13.2% |
| Privacy | 10 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Indecency.
Unwanted calls
571 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 54% 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 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (202) 967-4567 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (208) 203-2893 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (443) 376-6858 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (202) 960-4788 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 442-6463 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 895-7841 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 236-4930 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- 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.