FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 November 2020
Introduction
A total of 1021 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 17 November 2020, this was higher than the 920 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 544 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1021
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (544)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (118)
Where the complaints came from
The 1021 complaints recorded on 17 November 2020 originated from 706 cities across 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 | 118 | 11.6% |
| Texas | 98 | 9.6% |
| New York | 70 | 6.9% |
| Florida | 50 | 4.9% |
| New Jersey | 44 | 4.3% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.9% |
| Tennessee | 34 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 32 | 3.1% |
| Washington | 32 | 3.1% |
| Arizona | 31 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 470 | 46.0% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 729 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 729 | 71.4% |
| Internet | 152 | 14.9% |
| TV | 124 | 12.1% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
729 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 544 | 74.6% |
| Billing | 78 | 10.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 4.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.8% |
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 Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
152 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 61 | 40.1% |
| Billing | 42 | 27.6% |
| Speed | 19 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 12 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 12 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
124 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 37 | 29.8% |
| Billing | 36 | 29.0% |
| Indecency | 20 | 16.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 11.3% |
| Interference | 12 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Indecency.
Unwanted calls
There were 544 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 53.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (360) 679-8134 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (213) 765-8600 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (229) 517-8562 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (480) 559-8163 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (726) 268-0451 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (775) 454-5195 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (844) 674-0389 | 2 | 0.4% |
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.