FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 November 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1026 consumer complaints on 18 November 2020 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1021 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 601 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1026
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (601)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1026 complaints were recorded on 18 November 2020, with reports originating from 698 cities in 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 129 | 12.6% |
| Texas | 93 | 9.1% |
| New York | 88 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 73 | 7.1% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 35 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 34 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 33 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 33 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 430 | 41.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 79 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 767 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 767 | 74.8% |
| Internet | 139 | 13.5% |
| TV | 102 | 9.9% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
767 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 601 | 78.4% |
| Billing | 60 | 7.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
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
139 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 51 | 36.7% |
| Billing | 44 | 31.7% |
| Speed | 19 | 13.7% |
| Interference | 14 | 10.1% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.2% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 35.3% |
| Availability | 29 | 28.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 19 | 18.6% |
| Indecency | 8 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
601 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 58.6% 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 | 7 | 1.2% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (435) 344-4550 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (218) 633-7489 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (415) 969-4588 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (509) 774-1119 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (888) 253-8525 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 637-9997 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 915-8437 | 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.