FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 November 2020
Introduction
On Friday, 20 November 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 967 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 949 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 565 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 967
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (565)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (105)
Where the complaints came from
The 967 complaints recorded on 20 November 2020 originated from 638 cities across 49 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 105 | 10.9% |
| Texas | 91 | 9.4% |
| New York | 78 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 72 | 7.4% |
| Colorado | 42 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 40 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 34 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 32 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 29 | 3.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 29 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 414 | 42.8% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 4 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 699 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 699 | 72.3% |
| Internet | 152 | 15.7% |
| TV | 100 | 10.3% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.7% |
Phone complaints
699 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 565 | 80.8% |
| Billing | 51 | 7.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 15 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.1% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
152 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 49 | 32.2% |
| Billing | 45 | 29.6% |
| Speed | 22 | 14.5% |
| Interference | 14 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.2% |
| Privacy | 11 | 7.2% |
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 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 30 | 30.0% |
| Billing | 26 | 26.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 23 | 23.0% |
| Interference | 9 | 9.0% |
| Indecency | 8 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Loud Commercials.
Unwanted calls
There were 565 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 58.4% 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% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (619) 254-3501 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (623) 815-1222 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (628) 210-6232 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 554-6051 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 955-9479 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 827-6346 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 740-0782 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls 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.