FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 November 2020
Introduction
A total of 949 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 19 November 2020, this was lower than the 1026 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 566 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 949
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (566)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (86)
Where the complaints came from
On 19 November 2020, the 949 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 655 cities across 50 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. 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 | 86 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 85 | 9.0% |
| New York | 60 | 6.3% |
| Florida | 55 | 5.8% |
| Ohio | 42 | 4.4% |
| Colorado | 36 | 3.8% |
| Washington | 35 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 34 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 34 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 448 | 47.2% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 712 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 712 | 75.0% |
| Internet | 124 | 13.1% |
| TV | 91 | 9.6% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
712 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 566 | 79.5% |
| Billing | 45 | 6.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 24 | 3.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| 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
124 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 42 | 33.9% |
| Billing | 37 | 29.8% |
| Speed | 28 | 22.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.0% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 34.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 18 | 19.8% |
| Availability | 17 | 18.7% |
| Indecency | 15 | 16.5% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.2% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability.
Unwanted calls
566 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 59.6% 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 | 8 | 1.4% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 6 | 1.1% |
| (407) 573-5213 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (833) 729-6231 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (844) 931-4299 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (910) 620-2699 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (910) 620-5355 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 202-1986 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (212) 935-1380 | 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.